The next day it was announced that Harry Potter would be the second Hogwarts champion in the tournament. This had annoyed both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students and their headmistress and headmaster respectively. The Hogwarts student body wasn't thrilled with the decision either, especially the Hufflepuffs, who believe Cedric was being looked over. However, it was in the rules, the contact was magically binding. There was nothing that could be done.

Vanessa was sitting down by the lake with Cedric, talking about the whole situation. He understood there was nothing to be done. While he was a little annoyed, he wasn't making as big of a deal as the rest of the school.

"I've been reading about the tournament in a book I picked up from the library. People have died in this tournament Cedric." She reached out and grabbed her brother's hand, looking up at him. "Please promise me you'll be careful."

He took his hand from hers and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer to him. "Ness, you've got nothing to worry about." But even he couldn't know what dangers were lying ahead.

"You're my brother and one of my best friends. If something happened to you, I don't know what I would do."

Cedric gave her a little squeeze. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We don't know what the tasks are going to be yet. We'll play this by ear."

"So what about you and Krum. You've both looked rather cozy during meals the last few days. Be careful with that one. You've read all those articles on all the women he's been known to date."

"Yeah, well he happens to be a nice person. And honestly Cedric, I've only known him for a few days. I'm not going to be jumping into anything after a few days."

"Well now that I'm sure he knows you're my sister, don't start talking to him about the tournament."

"Shut up Ced. He remembered me from the Quidditch World Cup. Said he saw me sitting in the Minister's box. But nothing is going on with us. We mainly talk about Quidditch and I've been showing him around the school."

"Well, I guess it's my turn to tell you to be careful."

She rolled her eyes and stood up, smoothing out her uniform. "Shut up Ced." Cedric stood up and hugged her.

"You know I'm just looking out for you."

"I know, always the protective big brother. Now come on, let's get to class."

They walked back to the castle together, Vanessa heading to her potions class and Cedric to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Vanessa entered the potions classroom and took her seat between Fred and George. She always sat between them in any classes they had together when she could. While most students stuck to sitting with fellow students from their own house, Vanessa had always opted to sit with the twins, not caring what the rest of the class thought.

The class grew quiet as Snape entered the room. Waving his wand, a cauldron appeared on each table, filled almost to the brim with a gold-colored potion. Vanessa knew what the potion was immediately. She leaned back, looking at the twins who both had funny looks on their faces.

Snape looked around the room, watching the curious expressions on his students' faces.

"Miss Diggory, please tell the class what this potion is." Snape had always called on her. She had been one of his favorite students to teach, not only because she was from his house, but also because she reminded him of himself in regards to her potion-making skills.

She cleared her throat and began to speak. "It's Amortentia. It's the most powerful love potion in the world. It is distinctive for its mother-of-pearl sheen, and steam rises from the potion in spirals. Amortentia smells different to each person, according to what attracts them."

"Ten points to Slytherin." Snape bowed his head toward Vanessa, before turning back to the class. "Pair off into groups of three. After ten minutes the cauldrons in front of you will be wiped clean. Learn the potion. Once it disappears, your group will be tasked to make the potion from scratch. Be warned, the potion currently in front of you is not to be taken from this classroom today. Anyone found in possession of Amortentia outside of this classroom will have a one-way ticket to detention. Begin."

Vanessa took out her textbook and turned to the chapter on Amortentia. She knew she would have to brew the potion, as she was the best at it. While the twins were decent with potion making, they always had her take the lead as she was top in the class.

"I smell books, Earl Grey tea, and lavender," said George.

"I smell new Quidditch robes, fresh grass, and broomsticks," said Fred.

Vanessa remained silent for a moment. George had just listed off things that were distinct to herself. Her favorite tea, her love of reading, and the smell of her shampoo.

"So Freddie, you must really like Quidditch. Or a certain player on your team," she teased. "Angelina perhaps?"

"I guess so, I do fancy her a little," he said, shrugging and smelling the potion again.

"What about you Nessa? What do you smell?" They spoke in unison, both looking at her.

She shook her head. "I don't smell anything."

George leaned in close to her, his mouth right next to her ear. "Liar." This sent a shiver down her spine.

"Just tell us," Fred said, leaning away from the potion.

She sighed and put her book down. Looking down at the potion, she inhaled the fumes, an odd sensation taking over her. "I smell fireworks, mint and -" she didn't want to say the last thing.

"Go on," they said together.

"And now, please begin making your potions," Snape bellowed from the front of the room. With another wave of his wand, the potion was gone.

Vanessa got to work making the potion, knowing the twins wouldn't be much help. They both stared at her the entire time.

Snape had started to walk around the classroom, glimpsing at everyone's potions and criticizing and critiquing as he went along. When he reached their table, he looked down into the cauldron. "Another ten points to Slytherin Miss. Diggory." She smiled slightly, not taking her eyes off of what she was doing. "Weasley, Weasley, five points from Gryffindor each. You can't always rely on Miss Diggory to do the work for you."

He walked away, his robes billowing behind him. "Sure we can." They spoke so low only Vanessa could hear them.

When she finally finished the potion, it looked exactly the same as what Snape had provided earlier in the lesson. The Burrow, she thought to herself. That was the other smell. But she wasn't going to tell the boys. She bottled up a sample of her potion and handed it in to Snape, who then dismissed the three of them, wiping the caldron clean once again.

As potions was their last class of the day, they had the rest of the afternoon free, which they had spent together. The twins kept asking her what else she smelled. She knew they were never going to leave it alone. And there was no way that she could admit that what she smelled proved that she had feelings for one of the boys standing next to her.

The rest of the day flew by and Saturday came before she knew it. Vanessa stood in her dorm, looking at herself in the mirror wondering what she was going to wear. She put on a pair of black jeans and a green jumper that she loved wearing during the fall. She paired the outfit with her favorite ankle-high black boots. She looked at herself in the mirror again, feeling happy with her decision.

She headed up into the entrance hall where the twins had been waiting for her by the staircase. "Took you long enough. We've been waiting here for ten minutes," Fred said.

"Oh shut it. It's cold outside and I couldn't find my cozy sweater."

"Girls," the twins said in unison, as the three of them started the walk to Hogsmeade.

When they finally made it to the village, they stopped off at Honeydukes. Vanessa bought candy for the three of them, jokingly replacing the Chocolate Frog that she had taken from Fred on the train. Then they made their way to Zonko's to pick up a few things.

"Vanessa, shouldn't you wait outside. We don't want to be buying anything in front of a Prefect that might get us in trouble later."

"Shut up George." She went and picked up some sugar quills and hiccough sweets. "Should we get some dung bombs for Filch? He loves dealing with those. I think I might get a nose-biting teacup for later too."

"And that is why you're our best friend, always thinking ahead. But maybe it's time we thought a bit bigger too," Fred said.

"I'm honestly scared to ask."

"As you should be Nessa," said George.

Once they purchased everything they wanted from Zonko's, they made their final stop at the Three Broomsticks, where they all drank their fair share of Butterbeer.

They finally left a couple of hours later, walking back to the castle together. When they finally reached the main entrance, she handed her stuff over to the twins. "Hold on to this for me. I'm going to go see Hagrid."

The twins nodded, and took her things back into the castle, while she made her way to Hagrid's hut.

Wanting to become a Magizoologist, she had enjoyed spending time at Hagrid's and learning all about the magical creatures he was currently teaching them about, or would be teaching them about. When she knocked on the door, Fang had dashed around from the other side of the cabin, almost knocking her over. She reached down and pet him, not worried that his slobber was getting all over her. Hagrid appeared a moment later.

"Vanessa, what brings you out here today? I thought you would be in Hogsmeade."

"That ended early. I figured I would stop by and see if you had any new magical creatures you could show me."

Hagrid was beaming and looked like he wanted to tell her something. "Follow me, but stay quiet."

She looked at him curiously as he turned and walked towards the forest, Vanessa practically running to keep up with him.

He seemed to be leading her deeper into the forest than she had been before. And moments later she realized why. She heard loud noises and what sounded like fire.

As they got closer, Hagrid moved to block her. "Stand behind this tree." He pointed at a tree to the left of him, a huge redwood. She nodded her head and moved behind it, keeping out of sight. As soon as he moved, she gasped.

"Dragons."

Someone was coming up to Hagrid, and Vanessa moved around the tree so they wouldn't be able to see her.

"Hagrid, come back to see them again? I should have known you wouldn't have been able to stay away."

She recognized that voice.

"Actually," Hagrid started, his voice guilt-ridden.

"You didn't bring Harry, did you? I could get in serious trouble if a student finds out."

Vanessa came out from behind the tree and smiled at Charlie. "I won't tell if you don't."

"Diggory," Charlie said, walking over to hug her. "You really shouldn't be here."

"Come on, you know how I feel about magical creatures." She looked over his shoulders and a dragon who had just breathed fire again.

"I know. That's why I've asked my boss to meet with you after the first challenge. I've told him all about you, so has Hagrid. He's very interested in having you come to Romania as an intern this coming summer."

She looked between Charlie and Hagrid. "Really?" She was beaming with excitement.

"Yes, but you'll blow your chances if he finds out you're here now. And don't tell anyone you saw the dragons, or me."

She hugged him again. "Okay, I'll go. And my lips are sealed." She looked up at Hagrid. "Don't worry about me, I know my way out."

Vanessa made it back to the castle, only to be bombarded by Hermione and Ginny in the courtyard. The three hadn't spent much time together since being back at school, and they wanted to catch up. Though it didn't last long.

"Don't look now, your boyfriend is making his way over here." Vanessa turned her head at Hermione's words. Viktor was walking toward them.

He smiled at the three girls as he approached, his eyes finally falling on Vanessa. "I was wondering if you would join me on a walk, Vanessa?"

She looked at the two girls next to her, both of whom were looking up at Viktor. "Of course. I'll see you both later."

Vanessa was sure the two girls were talking about her and Krum as they walked off.

While they had walked for a bit, they ended up sitting at a secluded spot along the lake, one Vanessa had spent much time at. They talked for hours, not paying attention to the time or the world around them. She had been curious about him, but he was an open book for her. He told her about his family, his schooling, hobbies, and anything else she had been interested in. She told him all about herself as well.

They arrived back at the castle around dinner time. When they entered the Great Hall together, Vanessa heard bits of people's conversations. They were talking about the pair of them. People had seen them go off together, though no one knew where. Nothing had happened between the two of them, so she simply ignored the glares she was receiving from Viktor's fangirls, her brother's friends, and a certain redhead at the Gryffindor table.