December 26, 1994
"How did that foul woman even get these photos! Press wasn't allowed on the premises, let alone in the dance!" Hermione ranted, throwing the paper down on the table.
"It can't all be bad, 'Mione." Harry shrugged.
"Oh, of course, you say that! You're the wounded party, 'forced to go with an unsuspecting Patril twin-' really? Patril? It's Patil, you moron! 'Who obviously had no idea you harboured secret feelings' for Ginny and me, and that 'she didn't understand the rabbit hole that was our current situation.' Of course, you don't think it's that bad!" Hermione ranted.
"You forgot the part where we're both sleeping with one of a plethora of boys. Including Harry. Like I'm not thirteen or anything." Ginny said, joining them for breakfast. Ron sat down and glared at Harry a bit, before piling food on his plate.
"Don't forget the 'Bulgarian Bon-Bon, Viktor Krum!'" Hermione added. "You know, the poor, innocent, international Quidditch star whom I've 'led astray' with my 'wicked womanly wiles.' I don't even think I have womanly wiles!"
Ron took a good, hard look at Hermione, then muttered as he took a bite, "No wiles on you. You're too small."
"Want to repeat that?" Hermione asked, slamming the paper down.
"Got you to stop obsessing, yeah?" Ron cocked an eyebrow at her.
"I will respond to that with a scathing remark during lunch, Ronald. Right now, I have to rush to class." Hermione glared, gathering her things. Ginny glared a bit, then followed Hermione out of the Great Hall in a show of solidarity. Ron watched them leave as Harry chuckled at Hermione's antics.
"Look, mate, we're friends. So all I'm going to say about the article is, I believe you when you say you aren't sleepin' with Ginny. I will warn you that if that ever changes, Ginny's got, like, six brothers. Just you remember that." Ron warned.
Just then, the doors slammed the in the wake of the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan storming the castle.
"Hey, guys, what's up?" Harry asked. Instead of verbally answering, George slammed his face into his breakfast.
"First, you insult our family, then you sleep with our sister?" Fred asked arms crossed over his chest. Harry didn't answer at first because George held his face in his eggs and bacon.
"Article's a lie," Harry said as soon as he could.
"So our sister's not good enough for you? Too poor?" Fred asked as George slammed his head back down.
"Not what I meant," Harry said quickly when George let him up for air.
"So you did sleep with her!" Fred accused as back down when Harry's head. Harry chose to keep his mouth shut. They were in one of their moods and didn't seem like any of the professors were willing to break up the scene. George let him back up and he got his bearings. Oh, Lee was blocking the professor's view. Well, that was explained.
"Now, we're going to have a little chat with you, then we're off to talk to Malfoy. Understand?" Fred asked. Harry nodded.
"Keep your filthy paws off of our baby sister or we will remove from you any motivation to be with any girl for the rest of your life. When we get done with you, Golden Boy, you'll wish it were Voldemort who was after you." George said his seriousness amplified by his normally laid-back behavior. "Understand?"
"One, I don't have paws, I have hooves. Two, I understand completely. Three, if she initiates it, according to what Bill told us over the summer, I will be obliged to return the favor." Harry said, instantly regretting the last bit, but it was a Weasley family rule and he wanted to highlight the fact that their little sister was just a girl to everyone else. "Besides, it's not me you need to worry about, mates. It's literally every other male in this school. Except, of course, Ron, Neville, and Draco. Three of us understand to fear her brothers. And, you know, Ron is her brother. But all these other teenaged boys, they don't."
The twins and Lee walked away, pondering this new information. Their sister, the little thing they had bribed at three not to squeal to Mum when they accidentally hurt her, was an attractive member of the opposite…Well, she was a girl and that's where they would leave it. It was time to start a pranking campaign against all males, just to remind them that girls were to respected. Yes, definitely time for a pranking campaign. After all, it had been a whole night since they had pranked anyone.
Draco knew his friends. He knew where they all went when they were devastated, and he knew, after this morning's paper, where Ginny Weasley would hide. He left breakfast and was on his way to the Slytherin Common Room before he was stopped by the Weasley twins, who gave him a stern lecture on how to treat their younger sister.
Once he was finally able to escape, he found his way down to the lake in his winter coat, gloves, and scarf with a large cup in his mittened hands. He spotted the red-haired girl before he descended the hill.
Once he reached her, she didn't look up, just stared at the frozen lake. "Everyone's talking about it, aren't they?" her voice finally spoke after a few minutes.
"Mostly about how fake it is." He said, handing her the warm cup. Warming charms were wonderful. "Even in my house, everyone is laughing at it. It's not real, everyone knows that."
"It doesn't change the fact that the rest of the world thinks-"
"Since when have you cared?" Draco said, turning towards her.
"I don't, but my mum and dad will," Ginny huffed. "What is my dad supposed to say at work about it? What about you, and everyone else that swine of a woman is bringing down for her popularity. It makes me disgusted."
"I don't know what to tell you," Draco said, wrapping his scarf around her.
"Well, it's just despicable that someone would be so enthralled by destroying other people. Teenagers no less!" She said taking another sip. "I'm going to figure her out and expose her."
"That's fine and all," Draco smiled, watching Ginny think of a plan. "But don't let that spoil the fun you had last night."
"Did you and Luna have fun last night? I didn't get a chance to talk to her this morning" Ginny asked, hesitantly. "You seemed to be enjoying yourselves."
"You know how I feel about you," Draco said, taking a sip from the cup Ginny offered and setting it in the snow behind him. "You know how Harry feels about you. Hell, you know how most of the boys in fifth year and younger feel about you, and none of that changed because of the Ball or what the stupid gossip columnist writes."
"So, you don't like Luna? Because it would be fine if you did. I mean, she is awesome, and if you liked Hermione that would be fine too, though, you would have to fight my idiot brother over that ordeal and possibly Krum."
Draco laughed as he leaned toward her, closing the distance between them, putting his hand on her rosy cheek. "I think I'll take my chances fighting it out with Potter." He told her before his lips touched hers. For the first time, she didn't move away.
"Potter!" Cedric Diggory called, halting Harry in his tracks. "Potter!"
"Yeah, Diggory?" Harry asked, grateful that Ron stopped with him.
"Look, I owe you for the First Task. So…." Cedric trailed off, thinking about how to word his clue. "The prefects' bath is wonderful."
"What the hell kind of cryptic clue is that?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, I gave you a real clue, I told it was dragons. Now you're sending me to get caught by the professors?" Harry scoffed.
"Look," Cedric rolled his eyes, "take your egg to the prefects bath and see what happens. I really, really can't tell you more. It's not in my nature."
"Yeah, because Hufflepuff isn't known to be the helpful house at all." Ron bit out.
"What's the password?" Harry asked, seeing an opportunity after hitting Ron in the stomach.
"There's no password. You just walk in." Cedric laughed, then he walked away to join Cho Chang and his fangirls.
"That was the least helpful Hufflepuff in this school," Ron commented once they were alone. "What the hell is a Hufflepuff, anyways?"
"No clue, but that's not true. You're forgetting Zacharias Smith." Harry acknowledged. "Now, what say you, we go get the Patil Twins and have a pool party in the prefects' bath?"
"That's a great idea, Harry!" Ron agreed, leading Harry through the halls and to their next class.
"What are we doing, Harry?" Pavarti asked, following him into the prefects bath.
"I didn't think that the wards on the prefects bath allowed for co-ed bathing," Padma commented, looking around. "There have been many debates about it in the Ravenclaw common room. How are you doing this?"
"Simple. We don't plan on bathing." Ron said, shrugging. "As long as no one get's all naked, the professors will remain oblivious."
"And how do you know that?" Padma asked, flashing the dimples in her cheeks.
"Three of my five brothers have been prefects. Bill likes to brag and Charlie and Tonks were the same year. I know things." Ron shrugged.
"What other secrets have you been keeping?" Padma asked in a flirty tone.
"Not right now. We've got to see what's in this egg." Harry said, jumping into the giant tub.
"What do all of these knobs do?" Pavarti asked Ron.
"Charlie said I'd have to make prefect to find out," Ron said, turning as many as he could.
"Alright, let's open this thing up," Harry said, ducking under the water.
"Are we joining him?" Pavarti asked, staring at the top of Harry's messy hair.
"Naw, just wait a second. He'll never get it on the first try, but he likes to pretend he can. When he asks if you want to hear it, just agree and remember everything you can, because he won't." Ron said, eyes on Harry as well. The twins nodded their agreement and waited a few short seconds for Harry to the surface.
"Want to hear it?" Harry asked, holding the egg up to the group. Pavarti and Padma looked at Ron in shock.
"Sure, mate," Ron smiled a bit. "Let's do this. Hermione will want accurate notes."
Down the four went and Harry opened the egg once more. The haunting melody played out and they looked at each other in wonder.
"Come seek us where our voices sound, We cannot sing above the ground.
And while you're searching, ponder this: We've taken what you'll sorely miss.
An hour long you'll have to look, And recover what we took.
But past an hour- the prospects black, Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."
As soon as the final notes played out, they surfaced as a group.
"Well, that was bloody vague." Ron shook his head, splattering the girls with water.
"Yeah, how am I supposed to take that kind of clue to Hermione?" Harry asked, flopping his arms and creating splashes.
"Well, the first bit is obvious." Padma shrugged as she gathered her hair over one shoulder and began the process of wringing it out.
"How do you mean that?" Ron asked in awe.
"It's the Black Lake. Honestly, you lot are friends with the Slytherin. You should know that besides the Giant Squid, there is a plethora of things living in it." Padma sniffed primly.
"So what… Mermaids!" Harry shouted. "They make that awful screeching above water, but under it, that gorgeous voice."
"Also, there's a time limit. No more than an hour." Pavarti pointed out.
"Yeah, that's where I'm going to have to do some research. Don't know about you lot, but I cannot hold my breath for an hour." Harry said.
"I guess you'll have to consult the research queen." Padma snickered.
"Yay, a puzzle for Hermione," Harry said with a stony face.
Everyone stared at each other, scared of the consequences of getting Hermione involved. Then, Ron sneeze and Padma laughed, and everyone relaxed enough to enjoy their mini double date.
February 23, 1995
Research was getting them nowhere. Harry had even owled Sirius to ask if the Black family had any ideas, but Hestia had intercepted the letter. She had let him know, on no uncertain terms, that Harry would figure these tasks out himself or with the help of his schoolmates, especially since Sirius was still in a mild bit of trouble for bringing the broomstick last go round.
"C'mon, Harry! You must have some ideas!" Hermione badgered. "You grew up with magic! I don't even know where to begin to look!"
"'Mione, the Second Task starts in just over twelve hours. I'll just have to accept my fate. I'm going to drown." Harry thumped his head on the desk.
Hermione felt a twitch being in her eye and the migraine she'd been sporting since supper was at full force. Before she could further berate Harry, the twins came round the bookshelf. The Weasley twins, not the Patil twins. Hermione wondered how long Ron and Harry were going to go on dating a matching set before all parties realized how weird it was.
"C'mon, Kitten," Fred snickered, pulling her hair. "Dumbles needs to see you."
"You too, ickle Ronnikins," George added, grabbing Ron by the collar of his shirt. "Let's go, kiddies."
"Harry, keep researching until you get kicked out. Then bring the research upstairs. We'll help you when we get back." Hermione demanded.
"Are we just going to trust whatever Dumbledore says?" Ron asked as they followed the twins out.
"Of course not, Ron. We're going to take it with a grain of salt. As always." Hermione sniffed.
"Word of advice, don't take a lemon drop. We're pretty sure he coats them in Veritaserum." Fred offered over his shoulder.
"You don't have to lead us. We know how to get to the headmaster's office." Ron squinted at the twins, wondering why they were still lurking about.
"You may know the way, but future little prefect here doesn't," Fred commented, ruffling Hermione's hair. "What do you think you're in for? Cheating?"
"Dumbledore himself noted that 'cheating' comes with the games. No one expects a teenager not to seek help from their friends. That's part of the challenge. Admitting you need help to face great tasks. Or at least help to prepare for them."
"Here we are. See you in the common room later?" George asked, worried about his brother. "We'll be keepin' an eye out."
"Remember, don't eat the lemon drops," Fred warned again.
"Help Harry research. We'll be back as soon as we can." Hermione demanded while she and Ron walked up the stairs to the headmaster's office, not requiring an answer. Once there, they were greeted with Gabrielle Delacour and Cho Chang.
"What are we here for?" Hermione asked.
"Ah, Miss Granger. I see you and Mr. Weasley could finally join us." Dumbledore smiled. "Lemon drop?"
"Sugar rots your teeth, Sir," Hermione said, turning her nose up at the proffered snack.
"Yeah, what she said." Ron seconded, taking a seat. "So, why are we here?"
"Are you sure you want zem, Professor Dumbly-dor?" Madame Maxime asked, turning her nose up a bit.
"You four are here to help with the tournament tomorrow," Dumbledore informed them as his eyes twinkled.
"'We've taken what you'll sorely miss.'" Hermione quoted. "You're taking us. The four of us. Wait, why are Ron and I both here?"
"You and Mr. Krum were cozy at the Yule ball." Karkaroff scoffed.
"Am I to believe that I am the thing that Viktor will miss most?" Hermione cocked an eyebrow at her headmaster.
"Proximity and all." Dumbledore had the decency to look abashed.
"And this is in no way a set up to ensure that Harry is conflicted and earns extra points for some awful heroic act?" Hermione fired off again.
"Miss Granger, just drink your tea." Professor Dumbledore requested, rubbing his eyes.
"What's in this tea? Dreamless Sleep Draught?" Ron asked, eyeing it warily. "I've lived with Fred and George for too long. I won't drink anything unless I know what's in it."
"I 'ave 'eard of the 'Gryffindor' bravery. Eez zis eet?" Madame Maxime commented. "Drink up, Gabrielle. You are not so cowardly."
Gabrielle looked around, afraid. She knew she was supposed to respect authority, but Fleur trusted the bushy haired girl. Gabrielle knew that Hermione was intelligent, beyond intelligent.
"Madame? What eez going to 'appen?" Gabrielle asked, blinking owlishly.
"Gah! Drink the tea. You vill be under the lake until after the task tomorrow." Karkaroff demanded, done with the conversation.
"Easy for you to say!" Cho Chang suddenly jumped in. "You don't have students with their lives on the line!"
"Yeah, we all know the clue. 'Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.' No thanks. Take off with Harry's firebolt. He can afford to lose one of those." Ron huffed, crossing his arms and throwing himself into the back of his chair.
"Is this the major concern? Students, I promise you that you will be in no danger. Should your champion fail to retrieve you, you will come back up of your own accord after the time limit." Professor Dumbledore soothed.
"So, let's say Viktor cuts it close and saves me from the mermaids, but we don't break the surface until after the time is up. Does that count? Will I come awake under water after not moving for close to 13 hours? How does this enchantment work?" Hermione questioned.
"Miss Granger, don't you have any trust in adults?" Professor Dumbledore asked sadly.
"I was petrified on your watch two years ago. A middle aged rat animagus watched me and four other girls get undressed in my dorm room for close to two months last year. Adults I trust. You are another story." Hermione stated eyes narrowed in slits.
"What kind of school are you running here, Dumbly-dor?" Maxime had the decency to look shocked.
"Miss Granger now is not the time-" Dumbledore started.
"I want Professor Flitwick's opinion." Cho suddenly shouted. "Madame Maxime is as close to a supervisor for Gabrielle as it gets. Professor Flitwick is my head of house. I want his assurance."
"And we want Professor McGonagall's," Ron said, sitting up.
"Very well," Dumbledore said.
They all sat waiting while the portraits did their sole job of flitting about to run errands. Flitwick, then McGonagall arrived at the headmaster's office and quickly assessed the situation.
"I suppose your word was not enough for two children who faced down a mountain troll their first year because you hired a professor who was possessed?" McGonagall asked. Madame Maxime clearly looked like she was ready to take over Hogwarts herself.
"It was not." Dumbledore sounded shocked.
"Aunt Minnie, is his spell sound?" Ron asked, tired. Flitwick and McGonagall looked things over carefully, aware of their students' nerves.
"Where is your extended warming charm, Albus?" Flitwick asked. "Without it, they will surely catch pneumonia."
"Here it is." Dumbledore pointed to a corner. "I do know my enchantments."
"Just not your boundaries." McGonagall sighed. "The charm is fine. I assume that you have obtained permission from their parents for their use as props in the only youth contest with a death count on record?"
"I 'ave Gabrielle's right 'ere." Madame Maxime said, pulling out a piece of paper.
"Minerva. They're parents trust us enough to let them come to a mixed gender boarding school. I think this is within our rights." Dumbledore soothed.
"I'll take that as a no. Remember this, Albus. Sirius Black is the magical guardian of Hermione Granger and Mrs. Weasley is a force to be reckoned with. I am sorry to say I don't know much about Miss Chang's parents, but I remember her mother being particularly excellent at Transfiguration and keeping a boy as a pet rock for two weeks when he insulted her. This is on your head." McGonagall informed him, waggling a finger in his face. "I wash my hands of this."
"You're sure it's okay?" Hermione asked in the charged silence.
"You'll be quite fine, Miss Granger. Mr. Krum is an able and talented wizard. The only one who'll have a problem is Mr. Weasley. But we all know that's because Harry will try to drown him once they've reached the surface." McGonagall rolled her eyes. "Come, Fillius, let's get to bed."
February 24, 1995- The Second Task
Fred was worried. Hermione left the library late the night before to speak to Dumbledore, but she had left the lot of them with homework. It wasn't like her to assign completely arbitrary homework, then not show up to breakfast to grade it.
"Fred, George, either of you seen Hermione since last night?" Harry asked around his breakfast. Hermione tried to kill him last time he didn't eat before an event.
"Haven't seen her yet," Fred said, eyes darkening.
"She didn't come back to the Common Room last night, either," Harry said, looking around to see who else was missing. "Is Ron still asleep then?"
"You're the one that bunks with him, mate." George reminded him.
"Oh, right. A lot on my mind. Still, can't breathe underwater. Don't know what I'm going to do about that." Harry ducked his head.
"Oi, wanker," Neville said, glaring at Harry. "Come with me."
"What are you going to do? Off me?" Harry asked, wrinkling his nose in Neville's direction.
"Come with me and find out arsehole." Neville shot back. Harry, against his better judgement, followed Neville out of the Great Hall and into the courtyard.
"Gillyweed. Eat it and you'll have gills and fins." Neville said, plopping a bit of it into his hands. "Be sure you wait until the task starts. You'll have at most an hour. Theories as to why the time is shorter for some abound. You don't care about that. I suggest you swim fast."
"Neville, you're meant to be mad at me. Why are you helping?" Harry asked.
"Can't prove to you that that's not my Uncle Moody if you die, can I?" Neville shrugged.
Harry nodded his understanding and wandered to the champions' tent. This was it. He was going to be shoved into a lake for an hour in the middle of February. Fun.
Gabs: Hi, all!
Kat: This chapter is almost all Gabs. I mean, like, I wrote just little parts. Go Gabs!
Gabs: Go, Gabs! Wait, that's me. It's rude to cheer oneself.
Kat: It's ok, you can gloat. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! We did get PM's sent to those of you who did. If you don't believe us, test the theory and review!
Gabs: Yes, review. Tell me how wonderful I am. Or how much you hate it. I don't care either way.
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XOXO
Gabs & Kat
