The First task

The rest of the time leading up the first task Harry and Hermione got closer. Hermione spent most of her free time either translating Merlins book, which she placed a protective charm around so she could touch it without gloves, or helping Harry train. Hermione would often bring the book out to the quidditch pitch while Harry practicing flying. She didn't mind being outside, as long as she had her fire in a fire, and he looked forward to spending the day separate but close. When they weren't outside Harry and Hermione were inside dueling and practicing spells. He enjoyed having someone to duel but mostly he got to spend time teaching Hermione all the charms she had taught him in 4th year. He especially loved besting her with accio as it was never her best charm and he would need it for the first task. He had decided to just use his broom as he did last time, hence all the flying practice. If it worked once, it would work again.

When the Prophet came that week with the "poor Harry" sob story Skeeter had written, he didn't even blink an eye, it was the same as last time and he hadn't even sat for the interview. Hermione on the other hand was furious at the lies and deceit Skeeter was publishing. She ranted for days about the article. Harry just shook is head, he hadn't told her about Skeeter being an animagus but he knew she would figure it out, she always did. He ignored Malfoy's gears and the stupid potter stinks buttons and he kept his head down when he was near anyone other than Hermione. He actually found himself much more open when he was alone with Hermione. He started reaching for her hand while they read or he would just watch her read when he should be doing his own work. When they were on the quidditch pitch he would find himself tossing practice balls in her direction so he could fly closer to her. They had become inseparable and didn't go anywhere without the other and they talked about everything, well everything but the kiss. They hadn't talked about the kiss they shared in the Room of Requirements, not even once. But even with the elephant in the room that was that kiss, Harry found everything much easier to deal with than last time he was 14 because he didn't feel as alone, this time, this time he had Hermione.

When Harry got a letter from Hagrid to come visit and to bring the cloak he knew he was going to see the dragons and decided to bring Hermione along, they were small enough to both fit under the cloak. This time he wanted Hermione to know what he was facing and since he already knew he didn't see how she could yell at him for "cheating".

On the walk down to Hagrid's Hermione was talking all about the Runes she was able to translate. She was right of course about the time runes but most of them were too difficult to put together. So far she had the word "happy" "before" and "pieces", none of which made sense to either of them. Before happy time pieces? Happy before time pieces? They'd have to keep working… or she would. Runes wasn't exactly Harry strong suit. Most of the time she was working on translating he was flying. Oh how he had missed flying.

"'Arry!" Hagrid said happily as he opened the door, then his face dropped slightly at the sight of Hermione. "I er… I thought you'd come alone… I'm not sur-posed to show you this…" Hagrid looked uncomfortable and he pulled on his tie collar he was wearing the awful brown suit again. This time with a flower pinned to his chest. Harry chuckled at the outfit.

"It's just Hermione you know you can trust her," Harry said looking at her. The most time they've spent together the harder it was to imagine doing anything without her. He knew they weren't like this in his memory but after months on the run together, he didn't like the idea of being alone. He would often lay in bed now and remember the nights in the tent she had crawled into his bunk just so they weren't alone. He may be in 1994 but that didn't stop the nightmares from the futures past, he could still hear her scream at Malfoy manor. He wanted nothing more than to wrap Hermione in an embrace and never let her out of his sight again. He couldn't fail her again but he had to keep reminding himself she didn't remember.

"Yes… yes alright - hurry under the cloak and don't say a word!" Hagrid hurried them inside and Harry saw Madame Maxime heading over.

He chuckled, and while Madame Maxime was still out of ear shot, he told Hermione, "He's taking her on a date to see the first task."

"Wait, this is about the tournament? But that's cheating!" Hermoine whispered angrily.

"Don't worry, everyone cheats, you'll see, besides I already know everything so I'm extra cheating and you weren't worried" he replied to her. Her face turned red.

"Yes but - " she was cut off when Hagrid boomed his hello to Madame Maxime as a hello and as a hush to the two under the cloak.

They slowly, and silently they followed Hagrid through the forest to where the dragons were being kept. There were 4 dragons and more than a dozen tamers including Charlie Weasley. Hermione gasped at what she saw and turned to Harry in shock, disbelief, and worry. He just smiled sadly and pointed out Karkaroff who was hiding to their right. Everyone would know about the Dragons before the end of the night and now Hermione understood that too. Harry would not leave Cedric in the dark just as he had not done so the last time, some things he wouldn't change.

Hermione was silent on their way back to the castle. Harry knew what she was thinking. She was horrified he would have to face a dragon and she was mad he had "cheated". He was sure he was in a silent battle with herself. Once they made it back to Grryffindor tower he pulled the cloak off of them and found Ron sitting in an arm chair, he was the only one up.

"Out for a midnight snog?" Ron accused. Hermione's face reddened immediately and then her fists clenched at her sides.

"What's it to you? You haven't talked to either of us in weeks, Ronald!" Hermione snapped back at him.

"Just because I have t talked to you doesn't mean I'm blind! I've seen you two sneaking around. Always heading to that secret room of yours. I know what's happening!" Ron said glaring at Harry.

"Ron, stop this mate! You know Hermione's been helping me with the challenges and you know she's been helping with that other problem," Harry tried to reason. Ron was a git, but he was Harry's git and he missed him.

"Right… your problem. Sounds like you're making things up for more fame. Don't have enough as it is? Now you need fake stories and Hermione?!" Great they've hit the, Ron is a jealous git, phase early.

"If you're so worried about where we've been Ronald why don't you ask your brother Charlie? He's in the forest right now, I'm sure he'll fill you in!" Hermione huffed at him. She turned to Harry and nodded goodnight before heading up the stairs to the girls dormitory.

Harry sighed, he was back to sighing, and looked at Ron. "Look mate, if you have a problem with me spending time with Hermione then come hang out or shove it. If you want her you can't just be pissy and ignore her, you'll never get her that way!" Harry said to him before heading up the stairs to his bed. The last part was a lie of course he knew that. But he had to say it. He wasn't letting her slip through the cracks again.

The day of the first task Harry was sitting at breakfast with Hermione. Ron hadn't talked to them since his "midnight snogging" comment and Harry couldn't say he minded. He knew what was coming for him today. He knew how it would end and yet his stomach still felt like he'd swallowed a bag of rocks. He'd faced this dragon before. He'd broken into Gringots and rode a dragon and yet this chained horn tail terrified him just as much as it did the first time.

"You alright Harry? You have to eat something," Hermione said. She knew very well he was not okay but there wasn't much either of them could do. Harry just nodded his head and took a small bite of toast. Would he ever get use to this near death that seemed to chase him?
As Harry stood to leave the Great Hall and head out with the other champions Ron stood as well. He looked at Harry with a sad expression and opened his mouth say something. "Save Ron, I know" Harry said before heading off. He wasn't sure exactly what Ron was going to say but the look in his eyes was fear and Harry had a feeling he had talked to Charlie.

The four champions headed to the field before everyone else as Bagman explained the challenge. Just as last time no one was surprised to see the dragons, and just as before Harry drew the Horntail, of course he did. He's changed so much of his life in the past but he didn't manage to change this. Before the task began Hermione hugged him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It had surprised Harry, in a good way, he didn't remember her doing that last time! But it was a short lived victory because Skeeter's photographer snapped the front page picture of Hermione kissing him. Great. This article would be worse than last time. But he wasn't upset. It may have been a kiss on the cheek but he tried to focus on that instead of the dragon that wanted him for dinner.

As he walked into the arena to face the horntail he followed the same thing he did last time but this time he was smart enough to avoid getting hit on the shoulder. Hoping onto the firebolt he felt free and as if all the nerves seemed to drain from his body. He easily dived, dodged, avoided and curved around the horntail. He may have even flown better than last time. Once the egg was in his hand the trainer came out and stunned the horntail and Harry saw Charlie give him a thumbs up. Ludo of course was thrilled, Harry knew it was because of the large bet he had placed on Harry but it didn't phase him. Mandame Pomfrey dragged him into the medic tent and checked him over mumbling about putting students in danger then entire time. Once Harry was cleared to leave he open the tent and he saw Ron and Hermione waiting.

"You were amazing!" Hermione said while hugging him. Yep, still his favorite hug. he hugged her back fully picking her off the ground and burying his face in her hair. He looked up at Ron threw the mess of hair and he looked… apologetic.

"Ya… ya flew great, mate" Ron said stretching the back of his head. Harry let go of Hermione and grabbed her hand in his. It wasn't the first time they had held hands but it was the first time they had held hands like this. Ron saw it, and to Harry's amazement, did not comment. Instead he said "look I'm sorry. I'm a moron"

"That you are little brother," Charlie said coming up behind Ron and smacking him upside the back of his head. "Why's my brother an idiot this time?"

"He thought I put my name in the goblet on purpose and now he's just realized how ridiculously insane anyone would have to be to choose to be here," Harry said with a smile looking at Ron the whole time.

"I … well… yeah. I'm an idiot. Who would want to fight that thing ever?" Ron said exasperated. Charlie just chuckled and raised his eyebrow in a "me, I would" kind of look. "I took Hermione's advice and reached out to Charlie and found out what the first task was… I was horrified. I couldn't believe you were acting so cool when … when you had to face that thing!"

"So you believe me?" Harry asked

"Yeah, yeah I do… about all of it" Ron said looking between Harry and Hermione. Harry knew Ron liked her but this time he had made the first move. This time he would get her… and hopefully fix some other stuff while he's at it.

"Well then we have plenty to fill you in about then," Hermione said letting go of Harry's hand and going to hug Ron. "I missed you, you idiot" she said. Harry couldn't help but notice she didn't give him the same kind of hug. Now to think of it he'd never seen her give anyone but him a full body hug.

Harry smiled at this realization and shook his head. "Well now that we're over that, let's get my score and hurt some Gryffindors ears," he chuckled to himself at the last bit as his best friends looked at him with curiosity. He hadn't mentioned the egg problem and he wasn't going to.