Chapter 84: Mighty Wings

The next morning, breakfast was interrupted by an owl dropping the Daily Prophet in front of Hermione. To her everlasting shock, her face stared back at her. Or at least a terrible facsimile of it. She wore a dark, hungry expression as she placed both hands on Harry's shoulders.

Hermione Granger: True Love or ambitious succubus

By Rita Skeeter

By now, we all know who Hermione Granger is. The brilliant-but-plain girlfriend of one Harry Potter. However, as this reporter digs in, the details become far more concerning.

"She's very ambitious," Pansy Parkinson, a fifth-year Slytherin said. "When she arrived at school she made a lot of waves, nobody really liked her. Except for Potter that is. She hooked up with him on the train and he's been by her side ever since. It's a little sad, honestly, to see the Boy-Who-Lived bewitched before he could even make it on school grounds."

Miss Granger is an ace student, there is no denying her brilliance but perhaps she's more brilliant than we all thought.

"She's got Potter wrapped around her finger," fellow Gryffindor Ron Weasley said. "Furthermore she's pulled most of our year to her as well, except for Seamus and Me. She tried, mind you, but her wiles don't work on the strongest of purebloods."

It is a good thing Mr. Weasley has resisted Miss Granger's efforts because her effect on the others is dire.

"She challenges everything that we wizards hold dear," Theodore Nott Jr. said. "Some of our oldest traditions are under attack because of her and others who agree with her viewpoint. She shows every sign of being a Dark Lady, willing to turn everything on its head to satisfy her dark desires. Potter's gone; there's no hope for him. She already has his fame and fortune to use for her own ends. Longbottom might be next and, considering the witches she has pulled to her, she is close to forming a Coven."

Covens, as readers are sure to be aware, are illegal formations of witches around a single wizard, or sometimes two, who is little more than a succubus for the witches to drain dry. Covens were popular in Eastern Europe and once were in danger of infiltrating Britain were it not for the steadfast guidance of the Ministry after the War against Grindelwald. If Miss Granger's ambition is to actually form a coven, Headmaster Dumbledore must step in to expel her. If nothing else, it would help poor Mr. Potter.

More on Covens and the dangers they pose on Page 3

Harry Potter's suspect entry is still under investigation on Page 6

Underneath that article was Skeeter's breakdown of the first task wherein she praised Diggory, Demeaned Fleur's dominant performance and appeared apologetic for Krum's dragon losing her eggs. For Harry, she merely hinted that he "tricked his way through" and wondered if the age difference was simply "too great to overcome, despite his obvious desire to prove himself." It just so happened that the Quibbler was delivered at the exact same time, expertly describing Fleur's mastery of spells to keep the dragon contained, Cedric's ingenuity and Harry's clever deception. Luna also highlighted and commiserated with Viktor about what happened with his dragon.

"Dragons are among the most beautiful and misunderstood creatures on this planet," the article read. "Our hearts go out to Champion Krum and also the dragon herself for the disastrous fallout from the task."

Harry set aside Luna's article and gave Hermione a supporting hug. Hermione gripped the paper in clenched hands, tears in her eyes.

"Easy, Hermione," Lavender said. "Just wait until Witch Weekly comes out this weekend. Mum just so happens to have a piece about you in it where she interviewed all of us who know you. Skeeter is just making stuff up and didn't interview anyone who actually knows you. Don't let her win."

"She's not going to win," Hermione fumed. "I am going to get her for this. Oh, I swear."

Classes that day were tense with barbs tossed from Ron, Pansy, and Theo at different intervals.

"Keep away from me, Granger," Ron said. "I won't be joining your coven anytime soon."

"Oh that's a relief," Parvati said.

"No kidding," Padma added. "The coven is working so well and smells so great. Weasley would ruin all of that."

"Sorry, Weasley," Harry finished. "We don't have enough food to feed you but that's too bad… for you. Sure I'm being drained but the way I which they're all doing it? It might take years. Many long, pleasurable years."

"Come on, Potter," Hermione grabbed Harry by the collar. "It's time for lunch. I'm going to need you to eat your fill so you're ready for tonight."

Hermione finished the order with a searing kiss while Ron fumed.

"Just give it up, Weasley," Dean said. "Unless you love taking loss after loss."

"Piss off, Thomas," Ron shoved past Dean as he walked into the Great Hall. As Dean was about to join him, Seamus held him back.

"Listen, mate," Seamus began.

"Shove off, Finnegan," Dean's voice was cold and bitter. "I'm just a mudblood to you remember?"

"Look I'm sorry," Seamus said. "I was angry and it just slipped out."

"Yeah, it slipped out. It's not the first time that's happened to me and won't be the last," Dean said. "I've been called racist names before but never from someone I thought was a friend. Leave me alone, Finnegan."

By the time Dean sat, Hermione had a full plate of food in front of her. Before she could dig in, however, a peck of owls entered the hall, all headed toward her. A chill went down her spine as the owls descended toward her. Before they could arrive, two more owls intercepted them. Frightened screeches sounded throughout the hall as feathers flew. Out of the chaos flew two owls, one white and one gray. As the other owls retreated, Hedwig banked away carrying the letters every owl carried. She deftly deposited the letters into the fire where they burned with a green tinge to the flames. Once done, she landed on Hermione's shoulder and glared out across the hall.

"Rather smart owl you've got there, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore walked up, his eyes twinkling in mirth. "I was about to warn Miss Granger not to open those letters. Undoubtedly, they were penned in response to the article today. You're better off chucking them in the fire. Seems your owl is a touch protective."

"You're telling me," Harry pointed toward Hedwig with his spoon. "She's more protective of Hermione than I am, probably rivals Hermione for intelligence."

"Thank you, Hedwig," Hermione gave the heroic bird a slice of turkey from her sandwich. "And thank you, Tybalt."

It was then that Hermione realized Tybalt held a letter. After she removed the letter, Tybalt remained.

Hermione, the letter read in her mother's elegant handwriting. We read that awful piece in the Prophet today and we wanted to send you a letter. Wanted to remind you of a quote you and I both loved: Well-behaved women seldom make history. Don't let Skeeter bother you. You know what you have with Harry and who you are. You're so much better than Skeeter already and you're half her age. The world waits to see what you will do next. We love you, Winter.

Mum and daddy

Hermione smiled as she folded the letter up, rolled her shoulders back and held her head up high.

If I'm getting this much attention, she told herself, I must be doing something right. Let her launch her slings and arrows. I'll turn them all back.

"Thank you for delivering this, Tybalt," Hermione tossed the family owl a piece of lunch meat. The bird ruffled its feathers and squawked loudly before taking off. "And of course thank you, Hedwig. You're my hero."

"Bloody bird," Zacharias Smith scoffed. "You all act like she's something special. She's just a bloody owl like all the rest."

Hedwig must have heard him because she took off, dive-bombed the boy and cuffed him over the head with her wing.

"She's too smart for her own good," Harry chortled at his owl's antics.

"Maybe I should do an article on her," Luna said.

"Please don't," Harry gulped. "She's self-assured enough as it is. Don't add to it. There'd be no way to…"

Harry stopped dead when he felt a weight on his shoulder. Turning his head, he locked eyes with his owl.

"Sorry girl," Harry heard a faint pop and a package appeared in his hand. "You know I love you, attitude and all."

Offering Hedwig a piece of meat, Hedwig barked her appreciation and let Harry pet her again.

"I love that bird," Lavender laughed and cooed all at once. "The prettiest owl in Hogwarts and the smartest too. I think you have a type."

"Darn right I do," Harry said without hesitation, hugging Hermione as Hedwig rubbed her head alongside Harry's cheek.

"What's that you gave her though?" Parvati asked.

"It's Pancetta," Harry explained. "It's about the fanciest bacon you can find."

"There's a fancier version of bacon?" Ron spoke before realizing who he was conversing with, causing everyone at the table to laugh at the outburst.

Before they knew it, Saturday arrived, and along with it the latest issue of Witch Weekly with a picture of Hermione in the library with books stacked around her as she researched something.

Hermione Granger, the brilliant woman taking Hogwarts by storm

Two months ago, we learned the name Hermione Granger, the girlfriend of Harry Potter. Everyone has heard the name Harry Potter and now everyone wants to know about the girl who caught his eye.

"I first met Miss Granger to inform her of her acceptance into Hogwarts," Professor Minerva McGonagall said when interviewed. "She was inquisitive to the point where it was tough to keep up. She asked about classes, the castle and magic in general. I always knew she would be the brightest witch of the year but even after she arrived she surprised me.

"She has an innate grasp of the theoretical side of magic," McGonagall added. "With Mr. Potter's grasp of the practical side, they are perfectly suited to help one another."

Miss Granger has always been at the top of the class but that is even minimizing her brilliance.

"She already passed her NEWT in Charms," Charms professor Filius Flitwick said. "And she would stand a decent chance of passing more classes from what the other professors have told me. Her ability to grasp complex ideas and further them is far beyond anything I could imagine for a girl her age. Magic has blessed her with all the skills in the world and she has the work ethic to further those gifts."

Outside of classes, Hermione is a warm, engaging personality with a wonderful heart and fierce, protective nature.

"Hermione Granger is the kindest person you are ever going to meet," Rubeus Hagrid, the kind-hearted gamekeeper and Care of Magical Creatures said. "When Harry Potter arrived, she stood beside him. He hasn't always had the best time of it- hates his fame, I imagine- but she's been resolute for all of it."

"I met Harry and Hermione on the train in my first year," Luna Lovegood, a third-year Gryffindor and reporter for the Quibbler said. "Usually people think I am odd and avoid me. I knew she didn't believe in the things I believed but she was still kind and helpful. She helped me get used to Hogwarts and has been a tremendous friend to me ever since. I can't imagine anyone better for Harry Potter. She's as perfect for him as he is for her."

Dating Harry Potter is not for the faint of heart. You have to accept being the center of attention, not to mention the target of a multitude of scurrilous attacks yet Hermione Granger doesn't let them get to her.

"When I got to Hogwarts, like many, I had a crush on the Boy-Who-Lived," Third-year Gryffindor Ginny Weasley said. "I was initially upset as I saw how close Harry was to Hermione. However, over time and with some help along the way I realized that while I wanted to date the Boy-Who-Lived, Hermione wanted to be Harry Potter's girlfriend. Harry has far outstripped the Boy-Who-Lived legend. She gets Harry to his very soul. She's also a wonderful mentor for the younger kids, a friend to all who are friendly toward her and brilliant in all her classes."

Hermione has even made an impression across the different houses.

"There's always a natural rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin," Slytherin fourth-year Daphne Greengrass said. "However, Hermione doesn't care about house rivalries and is engaging and insightful to talk theoretical magic. She always helps me think of a different way to complete my assignments."

"Hermione Granger was one of the first people to suggest a place for all members of the student body to congregate, no matter the house," Susan Bones, a fourth-year Hufflepuff said. "That idea was implemented, and Geneva was born, a place where students can mingle and also where the Defense Association meets and practices their defense spells.

Hermione Granger is a full two years from her majority and three from graduation yet it is clear that she is going to be a force to reckoned with wherever she goes. However, you can guarantee that wherever Hermione Granger goes, Harry Potter will be right there beside him and vice versa. Heaven help the witch or wizard who dares to cross them.

"That's a really good article," Hermione beamed at Lavender. "Remind me to send your mother something nice for Christmas."

"I'm sure she'll love that," Lavender said. "Though she's oddly excited to have me stay for the Christmas break so I'm not sure what that's about. Usually, we spend Christmas together but with the tournament, there'll surely be a ball over break."

"Ball?" Harry froze, his spoon suspended halfway to his mouth.

"Yes," Hermione nonchalantly confirmed Lavender's story while buttering a piece of bread. Noticing his reaction Hermione giggled. "Honestly, Harry. It's not that big a deal. Not like you'll have trouble finding a date."

Hermione playfully bat her eyelashes at him, trying to keep a straight face.

"You're right," Harry turned to the other side. "What do you say, Nev?"

"Not a chance," Neville shook his head. "We both like to lead; that'll make it impossible to dance. Maybe you could ask Luna."

"Afraid not," Luna said, not bothering to look up from the parchment she was scribbling on. "Formal dances invite Withering Womburgs and I like my feet facing forward, thank you."

"Ah well shoot," Harry turned back to Hermione. "Oh! Hermione! You're a girl!"

"I'd be rather disappointed if you hadn't discovered that by now," Hermione scowled. "Yes, I am very much a girl."

"A very pretty girl," Harry continued. "A pretty, intelligent, fierce girl. Would you be my date for the next and any other formal function that this tournament has to offer?"

"I'm not sure Mr. Potter," Hermione flicked an invisible crumb off the shoulder of her robes. "I've got a few suitors lining up. I'll have to think hard about who is the best."

"You two are ridiculous," Ginny rolled her eyes from the other side of the table. "Hopefully the person I end with isn't nearly as crazy as the two of you are."

"Oh we're running late," Hermione started as she glanced at her watch. "We're supposed to meet Charlie and Viktor's brother at the Three Broomsticks at 10."

A short ride from Blucifer later, the champions found themselves in a private room waiting for Charlie and Nikola. Harry and Hermione held hands at the end of the table, enjoying the break from the cold as winter arrived in Scotland, appreciating the sight on the other end. Cedric only had eyes for the girl next to him. Dressed in a warm blue cloak over a green blouse, Fay held one of Cedric's hands with both of her tiny hands, massaging his thumb with her own.

"What?" Fay asked when she took her eyes off Cedric's brown eyes and noticed the four eyes on her.

"Just makes me happy," Harry said. "It's about time Cedric found a smart, respectable girl of his own. I'm happy for you."

"I won't lie," Cedric said with a smile that you couldn't remove, even with a spell. "I had some thoughts about asking Cho Chang this summer. However, I'm glad I saw Fay on the train. She's quite brilliant and I love her drive to become an Auror."

"She's come really far," Hermione commented. "I know Professor Moody has complemented her dueling acumen at different times this year. "

"Glad you all could make it!" Charlie announced as he and Nikola arrived. "First off, I wanted to congratulate all of you for coming out of the task unscathed. A lot of our colleagues at the sanctuary would not have fared quite so well. Especially good on you Harry for knowing the weak point on the Horntail to pin her down."

"I was lucky enough to find a book that had that little bit of information in it," Harry said.

"We did have one question for you, however," Nikola asked. "Did you talk to the Horntail? We heard you hiss something and then you said something about the egg being a fake, asking the dragon to take it."

"Did I?" Harry looked to Hermione to confirm.

"You did," Hermione said. "It sounded like Parseltongue if I'm not mistaken."

"You're a Parselmouth?" Charlie looked astonished.

"I am," Harry said. "No idea where it came from but yes I can speak with snakes, and, apparently, dragons. It's the only way I tracked down the Basilisk."

"So there was a Basilisk in the school?" Charlie leaned in excitedly. "We used to threaten other students with Slytherin's fabled monster when we were in school. I didn't realize it would be a Basilisk; we thought it would be a magical Adder or something like that. When Bill told me, I thought he was lying."

"Your brother Bill?" Harry asked, and Charlie confirmed with a nod. "Ah that's right, he works for Gringotts, makes sense he knew since the goblins were the ones to render it.

"Yes it was a Basilisk," Harry confirmed the story.

"How large?" Nikola asked.

"It was huge," Hermione said. "I only saw the corpse when they rendered it down and it was two to three meters tall and about 15 meters long, I'd say."

"You killed a Basilisk that large in single combat?" Charlie's eyes widened in amazement. "Sounds like quite the heroic move."

"It was nothing," Harry shrugged. "It petrified a bunch of students, Hermione included, and when Ginny was lured into the chamber, I knew I had to do something. Initially, I wanted Madam Bones and Professor McGonagall to accompany me with a pair of Aurors. However, the fraud Lockhart overpowered a memory spell and brought the ceiling down. I honestly just tried to stall until they could reach me. I got lucky."

"Harry," Hermione quietly admonished him. "I love your humility but when you take down a thousand-year-old snake with the Sword of Gryffindor, you can boast a little."

"Whoa whoa whoa," Charlie held up his hands. "Sword of Gryffindor? You killed one of the deadliest creatures on this planet with a sword?"

"I had no other option," Harry said. "Fawkes, Dumbledore's Phoenix, brought me the Sorting Hat. When I put it on, it dropped the sword on my head. Nearly knocked me out, honestly. Fawkes gouged out the Basilisk's eyes. I tried several spells and they glanced off its hide. The only spell that did any damage hit the inside of its mouth so I knew that was my only shot. Caught a fang as I did. Luckily Fawkes was able to heal me. Used the sword to destroy the object possessing Ginny and… yeah."

When Harry finished speaking, Madam Rosemerta entered with a tray of food. Nobody spoke for a while as they eagerly devoured their food.

"I still can't believe it," Charlie slouched back in his chair. "I knew you saved Ginny's life but I never realized you went that far. Our entire family owes you a debt, Harry. More than one, considering the dragon was going to roast everyone in the stands."

"The twins have been great to me, Percy was nice if a little aloof," Harry said. "Honestly, aside from your mother and your youngest brother, I've had nothing but great interactions with your family."

"Yeah mum can be a bit much," Charlie chuckled. "There's a reason Bill and I live abroad, that's all I'm going to say. She's wonderful but she has a plan for every one of her kids. Bill was supposed to be Minister of Magic, I was supposed to play Quidditch for England and work in the Games Ministry."

"Not that it vould have helped," Nikola boasted. "Not even Chuck Vessel vould have beaten Viktor."

"I know I wouldn't stand a chance but in a few years, I think our own Harry Potter does," Charlie turned toward Nikola. "Same bet as last time?"

"Loser buys dinner on our next date?" Nikola smiled and leaned his forehead into Charlie.

"You got it," Charlie turned back to the astonished group. "Yeah… mum would not have approved of this either. She wanted me to marry a beautiful woman and give her grandchildren."

"As long as you're happy," Hermione beamed. "Just as magic is magic, love is love. To try and control either will only bring pain and darkness. I'm just happy you're not like your youngest brother."

"Me too," Charlie said. "Ronald was always a handful. Always getting into trouble to get attention. Mum favored Ginny as the only girl and dad worked long hours to support the entire family. I can see how Ron felt left out from time to time."

"Doesn't excuse his behavior," Fay finally spoke. "He's been lazy, cruel, and a right arse since we arrived, at least to me. He tried to cozy up to Harry anyway he could and that meant pushing others to the side."

"Is that why you never spoke much?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Fay said. "He was hanging around you more the first few years and didn't like it when others came closer. Like he was defending you. He couldn't do the same with Neville. By the time he backed off, I was just used to keeping to myself. Didn't think you guys cared."

"Sorry about that, Fay," Harry said. "Honestly there's nothing about Ron that I care for. He first wanted to be my best friend and then he wanted Hermione to date him. I don't think he ever really wanted friendship, I think he just wanted the attention that I naturally get. Honestly, I've liked spending time with you and picking your brain about defense."

"Oh Ron," Charlie rolled his eyes. "So glad I don't live in England anymore."

"'Arry," Fleur had been silent up to this point. "Your story deserves to be told. You're a 'ero. Risking your life for others without a second thought, telling the other champions about the dragons even if it sacrificed any advantage you might have in the tournament."

"I just did what anyone would," Harry said

"Non," Fleur shook her head. "If I found out about ze dragons, my first thought would have been to protect myself and not others. You also stood between an angry dragon and a throng of helpless students."

"That's my Harry," Hermione said. "If he's got one weakness, it's an incessant need to save someone in danger. He's still the same boy who stood between a frightened little girl and a full-grown mountain troll."

"You're the one who put a needle through its eye when I was incapacitated," Harry pointed out.

"Only after you turned the club into a gigantic needle," Hermione said. "You would have dealt with it just fine, had the troll not backhanded you into the wall. That was after you climbed up its back and it threw you off."

"When did this happen?" Nikola asked.

"First year," Harry said. "Ron said something terrible to Hermione and sought refuge in a bathroom. By the time I found her and talked her down, we had a troll confront us."

"So you two took down a mountain troll as first years," Charlie gaped. "The stories about you two just keep getting weirder."

"You're telling me," Cedric said. "They both conjured Patroni so powerful they killed a couple of Dementors last year. That was after facing down a pack of werewolves."

"With some help," Harry said. "The rest of the DA saved our lives, remember?"

"You should get someone to write this shit," Charlie said. "It's more extraordinary than any of those "Harry Potter Adventures" books.

"While we have you, would you be willing to come and try something?" Charlie asked. "We can't get the Fireball to eat anything. She's not even healthy enough to transport. Even live food, which she usually cherishes, she just ignores. It's a long shot but…"

"I'd be glad to try and help," Harry quickly agreed.

"May I tag along?" Viktor asked. "I'd like to see her."

"Sure," Nikola nodded, his features full of sympathy and concern. "Anyone else want to come?"

"I will," Fleur and Hermione said in unison.

"Thank you but I've got a date to get back to," Cedric said.

"Enjoy yourselves," Harry elbowed him lightly. "Don't do anything I wouldn't."

"Not sure I can have a date under such restrictions," Cedric joked back.

"Ugh," Hermione rolled her eyes. "You take yours Fay and I'll take mine?"

Hermione pushed Harry out the door and, together with Viktor, they boarded a carriage. Charlie told the Thestral to take them to the constructed enclosure. As they came to a stop, Harry exited to a clearing. The building and stands had been removed by now but the enclosures remained. In the third one, a dragon slumped in the center of the enclosure, its once vibrant hide now a dull shade of red.

"You said you are a Parselmouth," Charlie said. "Can you try and talk to her? Maybe even get her to eat?"

"I'll try," Harry walked up to the enclosure. The dragon opened its eye but remained otherwise motionless. "~May I enter?~"

The dragon nodded and Charlie opened the gate to allow him to enter.

"~You're not looking so good. You really should eat something~," Harry hissed as he slowly advanced. The Fireball glanced at the pile of meat and pushed it away. "~How can we help?~"

"Can you translate for me?" Harry turned back as Viktor entered the enclosure. "Can you tell her how sorry I am?"

"~This is Viktor~," Harry indicated to the larger boy. "~He wants to apologize for what happened to your young. That was never his goal. He loves dragons and he's distraught by the agony he has caused. How can he make it right?~"

The Fireball opened both eyes and abruptly stood. She made her way over to Viktor and sniffed him. Viktor closed his eyes and calmed his nerves. Slowly, he extended his arm toward the dragon's snout. The dragon moved her snout to meet him in the middle. A small jet of flame erupted from her nose and curled around Viktor's forearm. The flame sat on his skin before fading to black. When Viktor pulled his arm back, he had a tattoo of the flames around his wrist.

"I don't believe it," Charlie said. "The dragon just formed a bond with you, Viktor. This hasn't been seen in a long time. The last time was with a man named Igor Dragovitch who stepped in to comfort a dragon who lost her eggs after ice storm hit the mountain where she nested. Igor loved dragons and the dragon chose him as her familiar.

"That dragon's life is now tied to yours, Viktor," Nikola said. "She is your companion for as long as you live."

"But vhat vill I do?" Viktor asked. "Ve cannot keep the dragon on the ship."

"As long as you visit regularly and give her a place where she can be comfortable, she can stay outside," Charlie said.

"But I still have classes," Viktor was elated and yet ashamed. "I'll never be able to care for her the vay she needs me to."

"So what you're saying is you'll need help," Harry said. "From someone who knows magical creatures and is tough enough to handle them. In addition, you'll need a place where she'll be close but still have enough room to roam if she wishes."

"Yes," Nikola said. "Vhy?"

"Oh I just happen to know just the person for the job," Harry beamed. "He's already a professor here and his dearest wish is to have a dragon. He can't have one but this is the next best thing."

"Vould you like that?" Viktor asked the Fireball. The dragon's hide took on a redder sheen and she roared for the first time. After the roar, she curled around Viktor and chuffed a few smoke rings.

"Think that's a yes," Harry smiled.

"Harry," Hermione called from outside the enclosure. "You're not thinking what I think you're thinking, are you?"

"Oh yes," Harry grinned. "Hagrid's going to love this."

A/N: Usually something like this happens to Harry so it was fun to have it happen to someone else. When it comes to characters that are a joy to write, Hedwig ranks right below Luna. Her personality and protective nature with a touch of sassiness and pride.