Untitled Document

A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed part 1! Here is a very brief interlude before we get to - tahdah! - the game! I should be posting the conclusion later on tonight. :)

The Saturday of the game show came quickly, and by breakfast time, the Great Hall was buzzing with noisy excitement and activity. At the Griffindor table, however, Harry was surrounded by uncomfortable silence, as Ron and Hermione ate their breakfast and refused to look at or speak to anyone.
"Here comes trouble." Neville whispered to Harry, who glanced up quickly, wondering how his day could possibly get any worse.
Draco Malfoy was crossing the Great Hall towards them, sneering as usual.
"Well, if it isn't The Weakest Link himself, and his two little know-nothing friends! Can't wait beat you again, Potter, even if it is a stupid Mudblood game."
"Wha- I'm not even playing in the ruddy game, Malfoy!" Harry cried in exasperation. Malfoy blinked at him for a few seconds.
"Slytherin's the best! Haha!" he said, then sauntered off with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry shook his head slowly, watching the three of them walk away.
"Promise me one of you will beat that great idiot! " he said, turning back to Ron and Hermione.
"Sure I will - right after I take out Miss-Know-It-All."
"It's all right, Harry, we both know that I can handle Malfoy, no problem. Right after I vote off Ron."
"Arrgh! You two are insane! And you're driving me insane, right along with you!"
"Don't look at me, she's the one who started all this!" Ron cried, pointing his finger dramatically at Hermione. She rolled her eyes.
"Ron, I was trying to save you from the embarrassment of making a fool of yourself in front of the whole school! But I guess you're an even bigger fool than I thought!"
Ron sputtered angrily, trying to think of an appropriate comeback.
"At least I'm not in love with the bloody host!" Harry cringed. Hermione looked as though she might hit Ron, and Ron looked as though he was challenging her to.
"You take that back!"
"After you take back the part where you said I was stupid!"
"I never said you were stupid, Ron!"
"Well, you implied it!
"That's different!"
"Is not!"
"Is to!"
"Oooo - fight!" Lee Jordan shouted, and a crowd began to circle the two fuming friends. Harry stood helplessly as both reached for their wands.
"Well, maybe I'll have to make you take it back!" Ron growled.
"Oooooo!" went the crowd. Hermione laughed.
"Like you would even know how, Ron!" she cried.
"Oh, that was low!" Fred Weasley exclaimed, rubbing his hands together devilishly.
"Are you going to let her talk to you like that, Ron?" Dean shouted.
"STOP!"
Professor McGonagall's voice silenced the crowd, and students immediately began to disperse.
"Stop it now! The both of you! I don't care what personal conflicts the two of you have, just pull yourselves together!" she continued, stepping between Ron and Hermione, who had both put down their wands and were staring down at the floor. McGonagall waited a few moments before continuing.
"The contestants are to report to the library now, to prepare for the show. Can I trust the two of you to go and get ready without killing each other?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Fine then. You are both representing Griffindor house, and I trust you understand the responsibilities that go with that honor. I shall not be disappointed, correct?"
"Yes ma'am."
McGonagall looked them both up and down carefully. The she said, very quietly,
"Good luck to the both of you. Now hurry along, before you're late."
Harry watched as Ron and Hermione started towards the stairs, walking slowly and calmly. Then Ron glanced over his shoulder, making sure Professor McGonagall was no longer in sight, before hip-checking Hermione aside and dashing up the stairs.
"Come back here, you disgusting - !!!" Hermione screamed, jumping back to her feet and chasing Ron up the staircase.
Harry shook his head.