Ron and Harry were back at the Gryffindor common room to find Hermione sitting at the fireplace. She didn't see them for they still bore the invisibility cloak. Ron and Harry decided quietly that they keep the cloak on until they get to their beds.

The next morning, it was time to go to Dragon Valley again. Ron and Harry decided to make the best of Hermione's old behavior while it lasts, which wasn't very long because Hermione went from her usual personality to the deranged one every few moments. The three stopped by a different restaurant (just in case someone recognizes them at the Around-the-World one), the Wand-erful Restaurant: Buffet, and Bar.

"This pie is great," Harry said. "What kind is it?"

"Cow pie," replied the refill guy.

Harry froze for a moment. He looked down at the slice of pie.

"It's not what you think," the man assured. "We call it 'cow pie' because we make the beef pieces in a cow shape."

Harry relaxed but came back to their table saying, "I need to go to the bathroom to fix something. Ron, come with me." He dragged Ron to the bathroom.

Harry locked the men's bathroom door. "Now we can talk about this goblet thingy in peace."

"You think guys on the other side of the door saying 'Why the hell is the door locked? I need to pee.' Are peace?" Ron asked.

"You know what I mean. Look, that goblet is a mind-controlling machine!"

"And mind-altering."

"Whatever. Look, the longer Hermione's and the others' minds are left altered, the more they become succumbed by the change!"

"And--?"

"We can just alter them back to normal with the goblet!"

"We can't."

"What? Why not?"

"I tried altering Hermione back to normal, but I couldn't. I think that only those who know every bit of the mind-altered person can change them back to normal."

"So the only person able can do that is himself (or herself)?"

"Why the hell is the door locked? I need to pee!" a voice cried from the other side of the door.

"Or maybe we can destroy the goblet!"

"We don't know what that would do."

"Maybe we should ask someone about this."

"Like...?"

Harry sat thought for a moment. The man on the other side of the bathroom door began banging on the door.

"I got it! Sirius!"

"You'd think he would know anything about that?"

"I dunno, but it's worth a try." Harry ran to unlock the door. The man ran into a stall. "Let's go back to the table."

By the time the table was within sight of Harry and Ron, they were surprised by what they saw: Hermione actually talking to Draco!

Draco walked off just before Harry and Ron reached twenty feet of Hermione.

"What was that all about?" Ron scolded.

"He said that you took something of his," Hermione answered, "and he'll tell Finch or someone that you snuck out at night if you don't return it."

Harry had a puzzled look on his face. I didn't take anything, he thought. Harry slowly turned his head to Ron; whose face was red and eyes were shifting.

"Harry," Ron mumbled, "are you done with your food?"

"Yes..." Harry answered. "Why?"

"Because...run!!!" Ron took off. Harry sighed, took a last look at Hermione, and ran after Ron.

"What did you take?" Harry asked after Ron stopped at Madame Stoven's Cookery.

"Um...nothing."

"And I'm sure that small lump sticking out of your robe is nothing, too. Show it."

Ron slowly opened one side of his robe to reveal...(drum roll, please)...the goblet. Ron gave an innocent smile.

"Why the hell did you take that?"

"Uh.........it's a present for you! Surprise!"

"The bottle?"

"Yeah...I have that too, but it works with natural water."

"And you know that, how?"

"I tried it with water from the river as we were crossing it over to Dragon Valley."

"Oh, geez. Well, do you want to send that message about the goblet, now? I saw a 'Rent-an-Owl' building about a block away from here."

"Okay."

Harry and Ron walked over to the "Rent-an-Owl" building.

Dear Sirius,

How's it been? Good? Well, I need your help.
You see, my friend Hermione has changed into a
violent person. Ron and I have discover that
a goblet had caused it. How can we get her back
to normal again?

From,
Harry

"How's that?"

"Good. Send it."

Harry put five knuts into a slot next to an owl and gave the letter to the owl. "Send any message back to Hogwarts." The owl nodded and flew away.




Harry lay awake in his bed. He felt something was going on at the moment and that it was near. He got up to see if Ron was awake.

Harry noticed a tiny light from the curtains draped from the bedposts of Ron's bed. He whipped the curtains open.

Ron was sitting up with the goblet in his lap and his hand in the water.

"Ron!"

"Harry! Hi...what are you doing awake?"

"I wanted to see if you were awake and I can see that you are. What are YOU doing awake?"

"Um...nothing."

"You're just altering Draco's dreams again, aren't you?"

"How did you know?"

"Draco's face is in the water and your hand is in his forehead."

"Oh, yeah, that. Well, I suppose you're going to take the goblet away from me."

"Damn straight! Right after I get to alter his mind! Gimme that damn goblet!"