Not a soul was in the common room that night. The fire was burning bright, casting a ghastly shadow over the armchairs. Hermione crept past this at a non-stop pace with an eager expression and without thinking twice or having a doubt, she pressed on down the narrow corridor to the boy's dorms. There, at the end of the passageway, stood an open door. She approached it silently and peered inside. Harry, of course, was there, lying on his four-poster with a leg up and an arm over his eyes. I love being right, thought Hermione. She pushed open the door without making as so much as a creak, and carefully approached him.
He didn't move, and Hermione took this time to mull over him. He looked terrible. His photo album lay open on his pillow, exposing the pictures of Lily and James Potter. Hermione felt a heartbreaking jolt in her stomach. They really did look good together, she thought as the photograph of Lily and James cradling a baby Harry in their arms waved at her furiously, smiles on their rosy cheeks. They looked so happy, yet their son was here, in front of Hermione, trying to shelter himself from the outside world.
"Are you here for something important?"
Harry's voice made her jump. She nodded, though he couldn't see, and sat at the end of his four-poster.
"Harry, you shouldn't let yourself get pushed down by a few insults," she said quietly, as she found the lines in her hands immensely interesting, "Why don't you come down to the feast?"
"No," snapped Harry in a final sort of way. Hermione didn't push the subject any farther. Like she thought, she wouldn't make him tell her anything he didn't want her to know. That was okay, as long as it wasn't like murder, or anything (which would never happen, of course.) Harry, without warning, sat up entirely and narrowed his dark-circled eyes at her.
"Besides, that's not the reason you came up here, is it?" he asked her sceptically. Hermione shook her head slowly. He always managed to get things out of her; it was sort of an enchantment he had.
"And I know what you're going to ask, so get it over with."
Hermione thought hard, trying to put it all into the best words possible and delicately. This, Hermione thought, would almost be the most difficult conversation she would have with him… so far.
"Harry, why do you look different?" she asked cautiously, "I mean, is there a reason?"
"Yes, there's a reason," said Harry, looking strangely relieved, "And it all has to do with Sirius."
Now we're getting somewhere, thought Hermione as she shifted closer to Harry. Her ears were open, her eyes were wide, and she was ready for any twist or surprise, knowing Harry had many.
"You can tell Ron this too, I really don't want to repeat myself. You know how Sirius visited me? Well, It wasn't so he could terrorize the Dursleys, even though he bloody well did. He gave me a potion called Elixar Dismorgfigication. It affects your eyes, and allows you to see through invisibility cloaks and Polyjuice users. You know all the stuff with Crouch, using Polyjuice to become Moody? Well, this way, something like that will never happen again and I wont be lured into Voldemort's hands like last time," Hermione filched, but kept direct eye contact, "I don't wear my glasses now because it stings. Sirius said there was something in the potion I took that did it, I don't know. It's a load of rubbish."
"It's not rubbish," said Hermione reasonably, trying to sound reassuring for Harry's benefit, "It's a good idea, and it'll keep you from getting hurt. I don't what that, Harry."
She blushed realizing what she had said. Harry stayed silent as he sat beside her, his eyes on the floor. They stayed like that for a while, not saying anything. They didn't need to; they understood each other perfectly without speaking.
"I thought you'd dangle me off the tower by my ankles if I asked you to tell me what's going on," said Hermione miserably. To her amazement, Harry laughed. It was undersized and hollow, but unmistakable.
"I'm glad I got something out of you," laughed Hermione. She moved forward, and gave Harry a quick kiss on the cheek. He smiled at her rosy cheeks afterwards.
"Thanks Hermione," he said, standing and looking full of energy, "Lets go to the feast."
He held his hand out to her and she took it. Her cheeks burned, feeling his skin on hers then returned to normal when he released. They left the common room, smiling and lively, and into the Grand Hall.
The Grand Hall was fairly empty now, and only a few Nockdernians remained. Ron was restlessly sitting at the Hogwart's table with Lee Jordan, the twins and Ginny, who suddenly went red in the face. Ron beamed as they approached.
"Reckon you're going to live?" asked Ron with a sinister smile. When Harry opened his mouth to answer, a voice was heard from the front of the hall, "Harry! Harry Potter! It's time!"
Siamoen was hanging out of a door, his nails very noticeable on the dark oak door. Harry clapped a hand over his mouth.
"I forgot!" he exclaimed, "The task! I'll see you later, okay?"
He took off and was gone. A few small Nockdernians stared at he ran past and nearly knocked Dennis Creevy to the ground. Hermione bit her lip. Whatever the task was, she would hear about it some time today or tomorrow, whether it was civilized or horribly, horribly appalling.
"Hey, good job at getting him back to his senses, "said Ron as he joined George at a chess game, "What spell did you use on him? The body bind? Perhaps a stunning curse to ease his pain?"
Fred and George roared in laughter. Hermione narrowed her eyes at Ron. He might be growing in height, but not in brains. She didn't waste her breath, so she turned around and stomped out, nose in the air. She needed to go somewhere to clear her thoughts. The library, evidently; besides, there were rows and rows of books begging to be explored.
…~'*'~…
Much to Hermione's discomfort, Harry hadn't returned to the common room when Hermione went to bed (after she had filled Ron in about what Harry had told her, naturally. He didn't mind about it.) In fact, everyone had gone to bed. Ron and Hermione were left waiting eagerly for Harry and the facts about the task; they had been on their seventh game of chess until they decided not to wait any longer. Hermione slept effortlessly, perhaps because the sheets of her bedspread were more comfortable than those of her Hogwarts ones. She soundlessly dreamed of rolling hills and fluffy clouds until she had been vigorously shaken awake in the night.
"Wha- WHO ARE YOU!" she screamed as she dived to her night table for her wand. She was pulled up by-
"RON! What are you doing?" she said loudly, pulling away. He had a wide smirk on his face, and he was trying hard not to laugh. It was then when Hermione realized it was midnight, or near it. The other girls were sleeping soundlessly; they must have been enjoying the bedspreads as much as Hermione had.
"Shut up already, and get changed," he said quietly, "We've got to help Harry."
Hermione raised her eyebrows while she dumbly sat there, watching Ron creep back outside. What about Harry? He wasn't back yet- or was he? Hermione jumped out of her four-poster, and scrambled around for her sweater and jeans. Maybe he was going to tell her about the task. She hated being so meddlesome, but she had helped him on the first task last year in the Hogwarts tournament. Maybe she could do the same this year?
Hermione rushed to the door, threw it open, and was thrown into complete blackness. Something like a cloak had landed on her. She twisted madly, trying to get away until a warm hand clamped firmly over her wrist. Even though it was dark, she could clearly see two emerald eyes staring down at her. They were under Harry's invisibility cloak.
"Harry!" she breathed, "What are you doing?"
"Keep it down!" he warned, "Come on."
Hermione couldn't ask another question. She was steered out of the corridor and out the common room, Hermione making the most noise out of them all. Sure, you couldn't be seen, but you could be heard. But Hermione had no idea where she was going and it was completely dark out (and it didn't help that Ron kept 'accidentally' treading on her foot.) They entered the Grand hall and, by the light from the weak fire coming from the hearth, approached the door.
Harry grasped the handle, and said, "I'm not going to tell you about the task. I'm going to show you it." He pulled the door open with a heave, and they slinked outside.
It wasn't as dark outside then inside. In fact, that was an understatement. The grounds were drenched in light from the moon in the dark clouds. The lake was just evident over the small knoll a few yards away from them. It looked magnificent, and Hermione had to admit that Dryconderoga was in an ideal location. The tides shimmered at every soft blow of wind as the trees swayed in the distance. Harry pulled the cloak off of them.
"What about the task?" Hermione asked Harry in confusion. Ron suddenly didn't look so happy. He frowned as Harry pointed to the lake with disgust.
"That's the task," he said bitterly. Hermione dully looked from Harry's pointing finger to the lake. What could he possibly mean?
"What are you talking about-"
"The task is the bloody lake," explained Ron hotly, "That's a mighty big lake, right? Well, Siamoen thinks it's funny to make all the champions swim across it and back, for the task of strength."
Harry didn't look too happy at all, and Ron was beside himself. You could tell right away he didn't take any sort of liking to the headmaster of Dryconderoga. Hermione was speechless. The lake? Swim? Whoa… that can't be good. You see, Harry didn't have any sort of swimming lessons -being the Dursleys would much rather have him drown- and the only time he had came close to swimming was last year, but he had help with some Gillyweed (a rubbery liquorice type substance that made you grow fins and sprout webbed hands.) And now, for certain, Harry obviously wasn't permitted to cheat with Gillyweed. And he wasn't exactly what you called 'as strong as a bull' either.
"Oh, great," sighed Hermione, "What're we going to do?"
Harry started to climb down a little trail that obviously led to the lake. He didn't answer right away.
"Well, I will try," he said as Hermione and Ron scrambled after him, "If I do bad on the first task, I'll just do better at the next one."
Hermione admired Harry for his courage and valor, but this was something she was convinced he couldn't handle. What if everything would go down just like last year?
"Harry, if you fail, you'll be the laughing stock of the school! All three of them!" she reasoned. Harry sharply turned to her, eyes dancing.
"Then I'll let them laugh,"
Now this was the highlight of Hermione's trip. Harry suddenly gained major self-assurance, and perchance lost his mind?
"Look, I'm not going to let them laugh at me like last year. There're not worth it. I'm going to try, okay?"
Hermione smiled warmly, another of those warmness twinges rippling down her spine.
"That's perfect with me, Harry."
They had reached a small sliver of edge of the lake, this place being the rockiest. Perhaps Harry wanted to be sure they couldn't be seen. It had a small area of sand there, but it looked dirty; sticks and black debris washed up onto the small bank.
"I hope Tisoc sinks to the bottom," said Ron vehemently, then he gave a evil crackle (an overstatement, naturally.) It echoed quite a long distance, and once he got a clear look at Hermione's furious expression, he stood silent. Harry, on the other hand, didn't make any smart remarks about how much they bicker. He passed them and sat at the edge of a rock that was hanging over the water.
"What're you doing?" asked Hermione in perplexity.
Harry stuck his hand into his jean pocket, and looking as though he found what he was looking for, said, "If I don't want to make to much of a fool of myself, I've got to practice, right?"
He held a pocketknife Sirius had gotten him for his birthday a few years ago. It looked well used and slightly tarnished. Hermione watched in interest as he reached down, and started to slash at his jeans just below his knee. It cut the fabric to bits, and soon enough, he took off almost half a pant leg.
"I can't swim in robes, and I haven't any swimming trunks, so this'll do. It'll make less drag," grunted Harry as he started on the other leg. Ron raised his eyebrows at him as if he had cracked.
"That's one less pair of slacks, you know," he said, "Nobody wants to see a Harry Potter walking around half-naked."
Hermione turned red. Harry turned around and stared at Ron with a stern look as if he thought that would be the last thing Ron would ever say.
"I've got plenty more," he said unenthusiastically, "I'm sure Marindernia would love to see you walking around like that, though."
Now it was time for Ron to turn red. Harry laughed quietly and put his pocketknife, cloak, robes and (once he had taken it off) his shirt securely tucked away under a bush. Before Hermione realized what he was doing, he jumped into the lake. With a holler of thrill from Harry, a spray of water washed up. Hermione shrieked at scrambled away to avoid it.
"Sorry, did I get you wet?" said Harry, who was completely wet as he bobbed on the surface with his arms and legs sprawled. He grinned innocently at her, hair plastered to his forehead and eyes shinning brighter than usual. Hermione sat at the edge of the water next to Ron, and said, "You can be so immature sometimes, Harry."
"Isn't it grand?" said Ron with a smile (it wasn't like Harry's. It was more brainless-like).
Harry looked like he hadn't been so boundless since, well, since ever. He dove to the lake floor and came back with many odd looking shells from creatures and Hermione, having nothing better to do, mindlessly arranged them into small groups by their colour (they soon stopped since a particular grim looking shell attempted to separate Ron's finger from his hand.) Soon, Harry was swimming back and forth effortlessly. Hermione had to come clean: he was a quick learner, either for Quidditch or something as straightforward as swimming.
"It's really easy, now that I've been in here a while," spluttered Harry as he came up from a dive, "I hope it's not this bloody cold tomorrow, though. And look- my hands are all wrinkly."
Hermione rolled her eyes and said, "You have the skin of an elephant now, Harry-"
"What's an elephant?" asked Ron at once. Harry grinned.
"Never mind," mumbled Hermione. She thought her attitude would get on Ron's nerves, and he would normally be howling at her then, but instead, he clutched her shoulder, painfully. His eyes were focused on some point in the darkness of the trees and boulders to their left.
"I think I saw someone over there," he breathed as Harry silently swam nearer, "They were watching us."
Hermione stared. The branches from trees around a point were all bent, like someone had peeled them back. It was awfully close to where they were standing. Harry heaved himself out of the lake and stood, looking around with narrowed eyes.
"Do you want me to go look?" he asked quietly. Hermione shook her head almost at once. People were out for Harry, Voldemort being one of them. But was the Dark Lord really studying them behind a clump of earth and trees? Would he really be stupid enough to want revenge on Harry at a time like this? What if Harry went to investigate and he came within range of a well-able person with a wand?
"No, stay," said Hermione as she took her wand from her robes. Harry and Ron's faces looked very apprehensive.
"Lumos," Hermione whispered. Her wand lit up, a very bright light that cast a shadow over the areas where Ron had seen the person- but they were gone.
"WHAT'RE YOU DOING? ARE YOU CRAZY?" roared Ron in fright. He was looking at Hermione with frightened eyes.
"Ron, what's-"
For a moment Hermione thought there was some kind of earthquake; the ground started to shake, first faintly then violently. Stones the size of Quaffles fell from above and landed, dangerously close to where Harry, Ron and Hermione were standing. Just as Hermione was about to retreat to a overhang of rocks after Harry and Ron, something huge, something immense came out of the water with a thunderous sound that made the ground shake even more viciously. As Hermione stood frozen with fear for what was in front of her, she realized just exactly what it was- a tentacle. Not one of those tentacles that you would see on an octopus at a pet shop, but an enormous, giant of a tentacle.
Hermione's mouth was open in a silent scream as the slimy, purple thing wrapped around Hermione's waist, and tightened. She was never really aware what was happening until the shouting of her name came to her like a slap in the face. All she saw was water, the lake below her. Then, when she found her voice, she screamed in terror.
"Do something!" screamed Ron's voice amongst the roaring of whatever was holding Hermione. Whatever sound it was would be sure to be heard at the castle.
Then, as Hermione kicked, shrieked and thrashed about, a voice was heard over the rest- "ACCIO HERMIONE!" Hermione's face was just inches away from the cold water when she felt the hold of the tentacle loosen, then release completely. The next thing she knew, she was soaring across the water, everything flashing past her like a film. Then, she hit something with a soggy splat. She looked up, and flushed magenta; she landed, out of all the places, in Harry's lap.
"Oh, I'm s-sorry," she gasped as she pushed herself up from his wet chest (which made her blush even more, if it were possible.) She backed up against the stone barrier in mortification. Ron, who was staring at Hermione in fury, helped Harry up.
"That was bloody brilliant, Harry," he said in astonishment, "How'd you get so good?"
Harry brushed himself off of the twigs and pebbles that were stuck to his skin and said, "I was practicing." Hermione decided it was a good time to join in the conversation. She hoped they thought she was just temporarily shocked from what had happened.
"You really are getting better, Harry," she said, trying her hardest not to redden, "That's a really tricky curse to learn, and it's takes a lot of power and strength to summon a person. You've perfected it only a few months!"
"Because you've taught me it."
Hermione couldn't help but smile back at him. Wow, she thought, he really has changed…
"Don't you realize what you just did? You could have killed yourself! You could have killed us too, if that thing was still hungry enough!" Ron's voice cracked like a whip over Hermione's thoughts, "Giant-squids-don't-like-wand-light," he spook as if she were two, "You could have died if Harry hadn't done what he did!"
"Let's just go back, all right? Someone might notice we're gone," said Harry hastily, and before they could answer, he collected his things and started to climb the ledge to the castle. Ron and Hermione followed.
Ron was staring at Hermione in an accusing way the walk back, even though it meant he couldn't see where he was going and he tripped on a dozen or so roots of trees and rocks. But, Hermione, being to preoccupied with her own thoughts, wasn't aware. She forgot all about the 'someone' who at some point was lurking in the bushes. She had never seen Harry like that, the way he looked that night. Maybe it was something about him, but not like he had something vulgar stuck in his teeth. Maybe it was something about his eyes? His smile? It was all wrapped up into on colossal package. That night, she understood why she was so embarrassed to be around Harry and why blushing around him became a strange sort of daily routine. That night, as she stared at the canopy of her four-poster, she realized something that finally made sense to her- she was in love with Harry Potter!
…~'*'~…
A/N: All righty, there is no fluff in this fic. Here are the reasons: the fluff has left the building; the fluff is out to lunch (and wont be back in fifteen minutes); the fluff is out to dinner with a swingin' fluffette; the fluff is on a sugar high, running ramped and is wanted for the use of illegal drugs. Please take your pick. If you do fancy fluff (which I know a lot of you do, judging from your e-mails) I'll let you know there won't be fluff until the next two chapters (maybe.) *deep breath* Anyways, I got this chapter out because everyone was pushing me to (which is somewhat okay as long as it doesn't get out of hand. It forces me to write.) And if you don't like this story because there's no fluff, I don't mind. Please feel free to read another fic. Also, I understand my spelling/grammar isn't very good, so please don't e-mail me about how horrible I am. It's not like spelling Polyjuice wrong is illegal, people.