Time was growing short and many of the student teams had managed to confront Fluffy and claim their victories. Hagrid sat watching over the beast when Hermione came rushing, out of breath, up to him.
"Hagrid!" she cried, flinging her arms in the air wildly. " I have the answer for the purple team!" She said, thrusting out a purple envelope toward him. "I need to reveal it in front of Fluffy."
"Oh Reeeeeally bookworm?" a rude voice said behind Hagrid. Malfoy emerged with his two cronies still in tow.
"Now Malfoy yeh know yeh got it wrong....yeh are out of the game," Hagrid said sternly. It was obvious that Malfoy had been hanging around here pestering Hagrid for some time trying to get him to change his mind.
"Why you oversized dragon loving oaf, I only got one wrong and then figured it out...." Malfoy said evilly.
"Still, yeh got it wrong and rules are rules," Hagrid insisted. "I believe it's Hermione's turn to guess."
Hermione had the biggest grin on her face but just then, Peeves chose to block her way to Fluffy.
"Aggh...get out of my WAY you annoying ghost!" Hermione said, flustered. She looked really perturbed and more than merely annoyed by the obstacle.
"Weasley's card put me here," Peeves said, swishing air around Hermione so that her hair flew all over the place and ended in a windswept mess over her face.
"Nonsense, I have the answer," Hermione said irritably, blowing the hair from her face, but then she could see Hagrid was now talking to Ron, and Harry had just come up behind her and they both could hear Ron's words quite clearly.
"Yes Hagrid, Fluffy, the answer for the purple team is......HERMIONE Granger," and he smiled evilly through Peeves at Hermione as he said this, "in Defense Against the Dark Arts" with the "Alohamara Spell".
Upon saying this, Peeves sighed, knowing his fun was over, and there wasn't a peep out of Fluffy. Instead, the dog just whined a bit and began wagging it's tail. Now free, Hermione and Harry came up behind Ron.
Hermione was looking both embarrassed and angry. "I had the answer! Even though it WAS me..I'm not really a culprit, it was just a game..." she now had her arms crossed.
"Well, I got a card that let me tell Peeves where to move, so I told him to block your entrance in here," Ron said triumphantly. "Sorry Hermione, you lose...." he was smirking wildly at her. "AND you are the culprit!!" He now began laughing hysterically and Harry couldn't help but giggle too as Hagrid just shrugged his shoulders, hiding a small smile himself.
"Very funny," Hermione said. The sound of the laughter was almost enough to make her break a smile but the fact that it was at her expense kept her blushing intently and turning away from all of them.
"Hey, and your cat was in on it too..he bit me.." Ron said, grabbing Hermione's shoulder playfully and turning her around so she could see. He really didn't have a bit of malice, just amusement in his voice. After all, he loved teasing her and was as good at it as she was getting him to make trips to the library with her. When Hermione saw the bite marks though, she just gasped. "Crookshanks did that..uh...I'm sorry but...what were you doing...he always likes to play bite!"
"Not a big deal," Ron said, shrugging. "Come on...it's time for supper, " he said, urging the rest of them on, Harry just followed a bit dazedly, now that the excitement of the Mystery at Hogwarts was over, he had to worrry about the Triwizard tournament again. Hermione just sluffed her feet behind them, still looking fairly red and whispering to Hagrid to make sure NO ONE knew that her name had been drawn as the "spellcaster" in this little game. She would NEVER do anything like that and it was downright scandalous.
The tables in the Great Hall were now very lively with talk of the game: who won for what team, where Peeves had managed to pop up, the strange places clues had been hidden, and Gryffindor was no exception. Ron had finally gotten a victory..he now had the attention, even if just for a short time, that had been on Harry for so long and would return to him during the next Triwizard task, and he had outwitted Hermione by getting to Fluffy before she did as well as being able to rub it in that she was the one who "did" the horrible deed. He was in heaven! Just as Ron continued to boast, there were the sounds of owls and everyone knew it was time for the evening mail. Hermione was somewhat relieved to receive a copy of the evening Daily Prophet so she could hide behind it, but as soon as she opened the front page, her eyes got really wide and she began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Oh RRRRRON," she said, interrupting his fun.
"What?" he looked at her, somewhat confused and getting a bit worried when he saw the look on her face.
"Well...I hate Rita Skeeter as much as anyone after all these strange articles she's been publishing, but I have to say, the story on the front page is a rather interesting one."
"Huh?" Ron said, shrugging. "Something else about Harry?"
"Of course not," Hermione said, "It's about the Mystery at Hogwarts game. Of course I once again have no idea HOW she got the details for this story, but it's juicy all the same. Let me read:
YOUNG WIZARD RON WEASLEY WINS "MYSTERY AT HOGWARTS" CONTEST
Ron Weasley, son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, and friend of our famous Mr. Harry Potter was one of the many
students who participated in today's special "Mystery at Hogwarts" event at the famous wizarding school. Weasley
was among the winners, grabbing the prize for the purple team."
Ron just beamed. "So what are you on about that? I did win."
"I know," Hermione said with a gleam in her eye, "but let me go on.
As many of you know, the quest for the Triwizard Cup is being sought at this time as well and one of the
champions, Miss Fleur Delecore, was seen in the company of Mr. Weasley during the contest today in
the Herbology Greenhouse. It was said that Miss Delacore, being part Veela, was able to entice Mr.
Weasley into something other than his normal self and after a seductive and passionate kiss, gave Mr.
Weasley the clues he needed to win. Although Miss Delacore was seen helping other students later, only
Mr. Weasley fell under her floosie charms. I suppose in France things are defined much differently but
this being England, not France, Mr. Weasley perhaps cannot be granted full status of winning the contest
because he knew better than to fall for such scandalous behavior.
This news is just the next set in the strange occurences and behavior we have seen behind the scenes at Hogwarts
the past few months. You can be assured that this reporter will keep you on top of all the stories related to this
and other events surrounding the school."
"Uh...." Ron just blushed fiercely, especially now that all eyes at the Gryffindor table were on him but with different looks than they had had when he was bragging about his victory. The girls just sighed in disgust and the boys just stared at Ron, then at each other, then laughed heartily and slapped Ron on the shoulder. "Whhhhhoa.....you and Fleur..how'd you do it, what was it like?"
Hermione, thinking that the whole thing was fake, now hit the paper down on the table. "Excuse me, but what are you going ON about? This story is false although admittedly caused quite a laugh. I mean it would be completely wrong for Ron to be interested at ALL in Floosies. Hmph." she crossed her arms. "He learned that a LONG time ago when I snapped him out of that Veela nonsense."
Harry was just sort of hiding his mouth behind his hand knowingly.
Hermione glanced at him. "What's wrong with you? This is of course nonsense although it should bring Ron off his high horse somewhat about winning, it was just a game."
Just then, Fleur walked past the table and waved and winked at Ron. "Congratu..ations'" she said sweetly as she went and sat down again. Ron blushed. Hermione looked at Fleur, then Ron, then at the other Gryffindors. She then glared at Ron. "WHAT did you do..you don't mean to tell me that Floosie...that any of this is TRUE do you?"
"No...I mean..uh...I saw her in the greenhouse when I went to look for clues but she didn't kiss me or anything, I mean..."
The other Gryffindors were smirking now and trying to eat their desserts to hide their amusement at Ron's uncomfortableness and Hermione's outburst.
Hermione had now got up and had marched over to Ron. "Time to go to the library, and YOU have an important assignment to work on, so you are coming too."
She had her hands on her hips and Ron knew he had to comply. There just was something about Hermione that he knew if he didn't do what she wanted, he'd be sorry for it later. He smiled sheepishly at the other Gryffindors and said he'd see them in the Gryffindor common room later and got up, heading out toward the exit, Hermione right behind.
Harry sat watching as Hermione chased Ron with a determined and scolding look on her face and groaned as he thought "Here they go again...." He then sighed and began eating his pudding, thinking about the next Triwizard task. The other Gryffindors now had moved onto other topics and Harry just sat contemplating the future.
THE END
"Hagrid!" she cried, flinging her arms in the air wildly. " I have the answer for the purple team!" She said, thrusting out a purple envelope toward him. "I need to reveal it in front of Fluffy."
"Oh Reeeeeally bookworm?" a rude voice said behind Hagrid. Malfoy emerged with his two cronies still in tow.
"Now Malfoy yeh know yeh got it wrong....yeh are out of the game," Hagrid said sternly. It was obvious that Malfoy had been hanging around here pestering Hagrid for some time trying to get him to change his mind.
"Why you oversized dragon loving oaf, I only got one wrong and then figured it out...." Malfoy said evilly.
"Still, yeh got it wrong and rules are rules," Hagrid insisted. "I believe it's Hermione's turn to guess."
Hermione had the biggest grin on her face but just then, Peeves chose to block her way to Fluffy.
"Aggh...get out of my WAY you annoying ghost!" Hermione said, flustered. She looked really perturbed and more than merely annoyed by the obstacle.
"Weasley's card put me here," Peeves said, swishing air around Hermione so that her hair flew all over the place and ended in a windswept mess over her face.
"Nonsense, I have the answer," Hermione said irritably, blowing the hair from her face, but then she could see Hagrid was now talking to Ron, and Harry had just come up behind her and they both could hear Ron's words quite clearly.
"Yes Hagrid, Fluffy, the answer for the purple team is......HERMIONE Granger," and he smiled evilly through Peeves at Hermione as he said this, "in Defense Against the Dark Arts" with the "Alohamara Spell".
Upon saying this, Peeves sighed, knowing his fun was over, and there wasn't a peep out of Fluffy. Instead, the dog just whined a bit and began wagging it's tail. Now free, Hermione and Harry came up behind Ron.
Hermione was looking both embarrassed and angry. "I had the answer! Even though it WAS me..I'm not really a culprit, it was just a game..." she now had her arms crossed.
"Well, I got a card that let me tell Peeves where to move, so I told him to block your entrance in here," Ron said triumphantly. "Sorry Hermione, you lose...." he was smirking wildly at her. "AND you are the culprit!!" He now began laughing hysterically and Harry couldn't help but giggle too as Hagrid just shrugged his shoulders, hiding a small smile himself.
"Very funny," Hermione said. The sound of the laughter was almost enough to make her break a smile but the fact that it was at her expense kept her blushing intently and turning away from all of them.
"Hey, and your cat was in on it too..he bit me.." Ron said, grabbing Hermione's shoulder playfully and turning her around so she could see. He really didn't have a bit of malice, just amusement in his voice. After all, he loved teasing her and was as good at it as she was getting him to make trips to the library with her. When Hermione saw the bite marks though, she just gasped. "Crookshanks did that..uh...I'm sorry but...what were you doing...he always likes to play bite!"
"Not a big deal," Ron said, shrugging. "Come on...it's time for supper, " he said, urging the rest of them on, Harry just followed a bit dazedly, now that the excitement of the Mystery at Hogwarts was over, he had to worrry about the Triwizard tournament again. Hermione just sluffed her feet behind them, still looking fairly red and whispering to Hagrid to make sure NO ONE knew that her name had been drawn as the "spellcaster" in this little game. She would NEVER do anything like that and it was downright scandalous.
The tables in the Great Hall were now very lively with talk of the game: who won for what team, where Peeves had managed to pop up, the strange places clues had been hidden, and Gryffindor was no exception. Ron had finally gotten a victory..he now had the attention, even if just for a short time, that had been on Harry for so long and would return to him during the next Triwizard task, and he had outwitted Hermione by getting to Fluffy before she did as well as being able to rub it in that she was the one who "did" the horrible deed. He was in heaven! Just as Ron continued to boast, there were the sounds of owls and everyone knew it was time for the evening mail. Hermione was somewhat relieved to receive a copy of the evening Daily Prophet so she could hide behind it, but as soon as she opened the front page, her eyes got really wide and she began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Oh RRRRRON," she said, interrupting his fun.
"What?" he looked at her, somewhat confused and getting a bit worried when he saw the look on her face.
"Well...I hate Rita Skeeter as much as anyone after all these strange articles she's been publishing, but I have to say, the story on the front page is a rather interesting one."
"Huh?" Ron said, shrugging. "Something else about Harry?"
"Of course not," Hermione said, "It's about the Mystery at Hogwarts game. Of course I once again have no idea HOW she got the details for this story, but it's juicy all the same. Let me read:
YOUNG WIZARD RON WEASLEY WINS "MYSTERY AT HOGWARTS" CONTEST
Ron Weasley, son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, and friend of our famous Mr. Harry Potter was one of the many
students who participated in today's special "Mystery at Hogwarts" event at the famous wizarding school. Weasley
was among the winners, grabbing the prize for the purple team."
Ron just beamed. "So what are you on about that? I did win."
"I know," Hermione said with a gleam in her eye, "but let me go on.
As many of you know, the quest for the Triwizard Cup is being sought at this time as well and one of the
champions, Miss Fleur Delecore, was seen in the company of Mr. Weasley during the contest today in
the Herbology Greenhouse. It was said that Miss Delacore, being part Veela, was able to entice Mr.
Weasley into something other than his normal self and after a seductive and passionate kiss, gave Mr.
Weasley the clues he needed to win. Although Miss Delacore was seen helping other students later, only
Mr. Weasley fell under her floosie charms. I suppose in France things are defined much differently but
this being England, not France, Mr. Weasley perhaps cannot be granted full status of winning the contest
because he knew better than to fall for such scandalous behavior.
This news is just the next set in the strange occurences and behavior we have seen behind the scenes at Hogwarts
the past few months. You can be assured that this reporter will keep you on top of all the stories related to this
and other events surrounding the school."
"Uh...." Ron just blushed fiercely, especially now that all eyes at the Gryffindor table were on him but with different looks than they had had when he was bragging about his victory. The girls just sighed in disgust and the boys just stared at Ron, then at each other, then laughed heartily and slapped Ron on the shoulder. "Whhhhhoa.....you and Fleur..how'd you do it, what was it like?"
Hermione, thinking that the whole thing was fake, now hit the paper down on the table. "Excuse me, but what are you going ON about? This story is false although admittedly caused quite a laugh. I mean it would be completely wrong for Ron to be interested at ALL in Floosies. Hmph." she crossed her arms. "He learned that a LONG time ago when I snapped him out of that Veela nonsense."
Harry was just sort of hiding his mouth behind his hand knowingly.
Hermione glanced at him. "What's wrong with you? This is of course nonsense although it should bring Ron off his high horse somewhat about winning, it was just a game."
Just then, Fleur walked past the table and waved and winked at Ron. "Congratu..ations'" she said sweetly as she went and sat down again. Ron blushed. Hermione looked at Fleur, then Ron, then at the other Gryffindors. She then glared at Ron. "WHAT did you do..you don't mean to tell me that Floosie...that any of this is TRUE do you?"
"No...I mean..uh...I saw her in the greenhouse when I went to look for clues but she didn't kiss me or anything, I mean..."
The other Gryffindors were smirking now and trying to eat their desserts to hide their amusement at Ron's uncomfortableness and Hermione's outburst.
Hermione had now got up and had marched over to Ron. "Time to go to the library, and YOU have an important assignment to work on, so you are coming too."
She had her hands on her hips and Ron knew he had to comply. There just was something about Hermione that he knew if he didn't do what she wanted, he'd be sorry for it later. He smiled sheepishly at the other Gryffindors and said he'd see them in the Gryffindor common room later and got up, heading out toward the exit, Hermione right behind.
Harry sat watching as Hermione chased Ron with a determined and scolding look on her face and groaned as he thought "Here they go again...." He then sighed and began eating his pudding, thinking about the next Triwizard task. The other Gryffindors now had moved onto other topics and Harry just sat contemplating the future.
THE END