xT-Zealot: Wow, enthusiastic! Great review! But no, I'd rather stay in this dimension, thanks ^_^'
Alex: Yes, sorry about that. I make that mistake sometimes.
Lover of Tom Riddle: Thanks for your review! It was GREAT! It was a privilege for me to DELETE it… *sneers cleverly* Quit it, Tegan, you're getting desperately annoying. I'm so serious it's not even funny.
Sparkle Tangerine: I'm glad you think my story is bloody good ^_^' Thanks for your review!
Calistal: The weather does screw with our minds, doesn't it? Well, it's warm enough to swim now and that's all I care about! Yeehhhaaaaawwww! Thanks!
Legolas-of-Rivendell: *mummble* Is Harry dead? Is that what you're asking me? Is the magical world about to collapse from Harry's absence and is Hermione going to live alone for the rest of her life? Is that what you're asking me? Well, sorry, I can't answer that… *wink*
Mark Slade: You'll find out who won the second task soon… *looks around aimlessly*
DragonBlond_04: Action? Harry and Hermione? Maybe… I'll think about it… *wink, wink*
Revia: The *sob* Leafs *sob, sob* LOST! WAAAAHHHH! Oh well… good on Detroit for winning! There's always next year! *Cujo kicks hockey's BuTT!!!*
Nicky: I dunno if Harry won the second task *note: I like to mess with people's minds*
ADJ: Thanks very ,very, very much for your long review! And pretty much all the stuff you assumed in the fic is very close! Thanks again!
HulaGirl: Thanks for your review!
Babooshka: Thanks! And sorry if I can't update as much as you'd like. I've got other stories to write, but school's over for me, so they'll be much quicker!
E.C.R Potter: Yes, people like a glassesless Harry. They think he's really 'hot' without them. I don't think it makes a difference now, but I think might be better if he had ovalish glasses that are much thinner than the ones he has now. I have nothing against glasses, but I've heard people talk about how he'd look even better without them. Thanks for your review!
…~'*'~…
The Hogwarts students were looking particularly glum the few weeks after the second task. There was no merriment in the atmosphere for the approaching Christmas holiday and even a trip to the village didn't cheer things up. The starting of the red and green decorations had no impact at all either. It was nothing like Diagon Alley; nobody enjoyed it quite as well. Yes, there were many stores and taverns and people left most of them carrying packages, but for some reason, the whole lot of them seemed very reluctant to leave Dryconderoga. But after that, word had got out.
Marindernia had heard from her friend Opilia Luigin that there was a fatal setback with the Hogwarts group. "Oh, yes, their Champion… you know him, right? The famous one? Well, someone or something attacked him a few weeks ago. I haven't found out who or what it was yet… I wonder if it was one of those second-rate groups hangs out with!" she had told Marindernia, followed by a cheerful giggle. Marindernia hadn't noticed, but everyone had known about the boy who had put one-third of the school into a frantic fit of nervousness. He was no longer seen in the Grand Hall or anywhere, as a matter of fact. His friends roamed the corridors without the boy, looking incredibly under the weather and dismissing anyone who'd speak with them. Marindernia didn't know why they'd bother; the whole lot of the Hogwarts students were rather odd anyways.
So there was two golden weeks of Harry Potterless anguish above the castle, drowning most people in despair. The task, even though not mentioned since the accident, was sure to start some time near the end of the year, and that day was sure to creep closer… but there'd be only two champions. Perhaps they had to wait, but since Marindernia's loosing, she only wished for that much. The tasks get more difficult and brutal with every hour, and there was only a limited amount of people who could deal with them.
Nevertheless, even though the third champion was 'terribly ill', Marindernia missed watching him across the Grand Hall. He'd always be there, feasting on platters after platters like a young man should, and talking to the lesser people around him. He seemed almost as if he took a liking to the busy-haired girl, what's-her-name; and she looked like she fancied him. They were always sitting together, across from the deprived and freckled boy they called their best friend. And Marindernia realized long ago that she was lucky that none of them saw her glowering across the hall.
No matter. They both feared the champions, forgetting their famous friend. The unbelievably poor boy (described by many of the Nockdernian school) was too terrified to look at Marindernia, and the bossy-voiced girl seemed to not forgotten the conversation she and the champion had at the Anika Ball. Some of the other lot they'd associate with would look at Marindernia oddly, too, as if startled. Marindernia would look back at them, wondering… perhaps they found out something related to her strange behavior. It was true, she had acted unusual the night the Hogwart's champion was claimed to be ill… she had woken up in a very old and shabby storage room in the back of an abandoned classroom, lying on the ground with ripped robes for no evident reason…
…~'*'~…
Ron and Hermione had gone to the nearby village to buy Christmas presents, visited Hagrid several times and strolled around the castle grounds, but they just couldn't get off the topic of Harry, who they hadn't seen in two long, agonizing weeks. They've tried, of course, but were always refused to enter the infirmary by the short bundle of misery Dryconderoga called a matron. With a roar of anger, she'd slam the door in their faces, and that made Ron consider organizing a mob and building a battering ram.
"Why doesn't see just let us have a peek?" said Ron irritably for the hundredth time that day as they left the infirmary for the Grand Hall, "Just one bloody glimpse!"
"Well, the good news, he can't be worse off, or else they wouldn't cause so much fuss," said Hermione reasonably as they entered the partially decorated room and sat at the Hogwart's table with the others, "But I suppose we'll just have to wait." Ron apparently thought that idea was absurd and thumped his fist on the table.
"If I don't get any word about him today, I swear… I'll go looking for him at midnight tonight!"
Hermione shook her head and buried her face in her arms on the table. It was hopeless to get to Harry, but more so with convincing Ron that he could get himself expelled. Harry'd always considered that fact when he would suggest breaking a rule. It was oddly evident that Ron was completely out of line without Harry around.
"I'll just borrow Harry's cloak," continued Ron as he munched a slice of toast, "and give it back to him when I see him! It's perfect!"
Hermione sighed in disgust of someone having such stupid ideas and said, "Just wait until he's allowed visitors."
But Ron had no further complaints. Instead, he tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hermione, look! Hedwig!" he said in incredulity, "I never realized she wasn't in her cage."
Hermione looked up at once and saw, high above the tables, one and only one owl soar inside from the open window and towards them. People looked around at it, being there wasn't supposed to be post on that day and some pointed at it. Ron was right, it was Hedwig; she soared right down to them and landed on Ron's plate.
"Hedwig," breathed Hermione in surprised as she reached over to stroke her feathers. Most people were watching them, knowing that they had seen Harry with the same owl at breakfasts, sending letters. Ron glared at them and shouted, "What're you looking at?"
Hermione realized that there was a piece of parchment tied to Hedwig's leg. She pointed it out to Ron.
"Well, untie it!" he said enthusiastically, and Hermione did, finding it extremely difficult, as the parchment was very worn like it was used as a handkerchief. But when she opened it and when Ron had given his bacon rinds to Hedwig for appreciation, she quietly read it aloud so nobody could overhear them:
Come to the North tower. Bring as much food as you can. We need to talk.
-Snuffles
So Sirius was at Dryconderoga and he needed to talk about Harry, most likely. Hermione and Ron looked at each other; then without speaking, they jumped to their feet. Ron piled a small platter of bacon, bread and a bottle of butterbeer he'd bought in Diagon Alley into his rucksack and they raced out of the Hall, leaving Hedwig to fly off to the owlry.
"OK, the North Tower," said Hermione, referring to Sirius's letter as they stopped outside of the door, "Where's that?"
Ron grinned slightly and said, "Fred and George told me they were going to set off a few dungbombs there. They showed told me where it was. C'mon!"
They ran up the corridor, Hermione following Ron. Hermione couldn't wait to see Sirius again; she hadn't seen him since the end of last year. She imagined Harry had written to him, but they couldn't meet all year, being that he was 'the convicted murderer of the Potters'. He was on the run, avoiding the Ministry in any way. But they were about to see him, just after a few long corridors and a set of stairs.
"D'you think he'll tell us something that we don't know?" Hermione asked Ron curiously as they sprinted up another corridor flanked with winged serpents. "Dunno. Well, there's so… much stuff happening and we don't… know anything. Harry might, but… you know," replied Ron in between pants.
They reached the last corridor of the north wing. Hermione followed Ron (who was mumbling directions to himself) to an oak door and they went inside. Hermione didn't expect much, and she was right. All there was behind the door was a narrow staircase that spiraled up to the tower, torches hanging above it. Ron pointed and said, "This way."
They climbed up to the top for what must have been a hundred feet above the castle and emerged onto an open landing. Hermione pulled her cloak up further, shivering. She could immediately see the grounds, as there were no walls and only casements all around them. There were brass telescopes mounted all around the edges, obviously for Astromany, and a few benches sat around the opening of the tower. It looked much like the Astromany towers at Hogwarts, with the exception of the dreadful stone serpents that were sitting on the edges, barring down at the cold and snowy grounds beneath them.
"Where is he?" said Ron, looking around.
"Here," came a scruffy voice that sounded as though it hadn't been used for ages. Ron and Hermione spun around to see Sirius frowning at them. He was wearing heavy winter robes and looking very gruff; he grew a beard, though not as long as Dumbledore's, and was looking much like the way he did when Harry, Ron and Hermione first met in their third year.
"Sirius!" gasped Hermione, "How are you?"
"Well, I suppose," said Siruis, "What about you?"
Hermione was so close to saying that she felt horrible enough to drown in the lake. But instead, she said, "OK, I guess."
Sirius cleared his throat, and shook his grisly head, looking very forlorn. He looked as though the news of Harry had touched him a bit; his eyes were glistening and - Hermione thought it was a little ridiculous for thinking it - he looked as though he had lost his best friend. Harry was like family to him, and perhaps the news reached him not too long ago.
"No you're not," said Sirius, looking from Ron to Hermione, "but you will be. Harry'll come around."
"Shouldn't we be telling you that?" said Ron, fishing through his bag to find the food he saved for him, "You look a wreck."
Sirius strained a small grin and eagerly accepted the bacon rinds, bread and butterbeer, "Thanks. All the same… I've been staying in a small village in the east. And when the message reached me from Dumbledore…" he sighed and took a huge bite of the bread, "I left right away."
Ron and Hermione looked at each other for a moment as Sirius took a seat on one of the benches, devouring the bacon like an animal.
"Dumbledore owled you about Harry?" Hermione asked Sirius curiously, "About how long ago was that?"
Sirius swallowed and looked up at her, "About a week ago. Why?" Ron raised his eyebrows in disbelief. He was obviously thinking the same thing Hermione was; why would Dumbledore inform Sirius so late? He was in a very bad mood when he and Siamoen carried Harry away the night he got hurt, but why on earth would he want to keep the news from Sirius for a week?
Sirius stopped gnawing on his bread and looked up at them in confusion, "What?"
"Well, it's just that Dumbledore seemed pretty upset the night he and Siamoen took Harry to the infirmary," Ron told Sirius, "He wouldn't tell us anything… and he made Neville cry! Well, come to think of it, that's not difficult to do…"
"And Harry got hurt two weeks ago," finished Hermione, glaring at Ron. Sirius's eyes went wide.
"Two weeks?" he said in incredulity, "Well, that's much more serious than one!" he swallowed the whole bottle of Butterbeer in one enormous gulp, whipped his mouth on his sleeve and said, "Any idea why he did that?"
"None whatsoever."
Sirius finished his bread and stood. He started pacing around the tower, scratching his husky chin and talking to himself. Ron and Hermione learned not to say anything when he was doing this; he normally got things out of it. They followed him with their eyes, waiting, until Sirius stopped and looked at them, "About the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Silversmith. Has he done anything unusual lately?"
"Not that we know of," answered Hermione, "In fact… I haven't seen him in quite a long time."
Hermione had almost forgotten about Silversmith. She had only seen him at a feast before the first task and hadn't seen him at all after that. Sirius nodded, and paced the tower once more. He stopped at the same place he did and said, "I've heard his name from someplace, but I can't remember where. Ever since Harry owled me about him, I've been trying to find something about him, looking him up."
"You've heard of him?" said Ron, "Well, I'm glad someone has. Bloody mad, he is. I was beginning to think he was from another planet or something."
Sirius nodded and said, "Yes, I've heard he was acting very strange back at Hogwarts from Harry. But how can he act so strange to Harry when he's not even here anymore? Where is he?"
Hermione and Ron knew he wasn't really asking them, he was just thinking out loud, "He was stressing the Unforgivable curses a bit too much in class and he seemed very interested that Harry fought the Imperius curse and how he got his scar…and how he had the Cruciatus curse set on him… you know," he shrugged restlessly, "Dunno if that helps."
"It might. Crouch was interested in the same thing last year, wasn't he? And he was working for Voldemort, right?" said Sirius. Hermione winced and Ron was about to shout at Sirius, but then he realized it wasn't Harry who said it. Sirius smiled and said, "Sorry."
"So you're saying that Silversmith is a follower of You-Know-Who?" said Hermione to Sirius, who shook his head.
"No, I'm saying that I suspect him. He could be anyone, Death Eater or not. He could just be a Professor who went home to see his family," said Sirius.
"He could have kids?" said Ron in slight amusement, "Bloody hell… what a nightmare."
Hermione shot him an angry look.
"Well, I suggest you look out for Silversmith and make sure he doesn't go after Harry. I don't want him to think that he's being followed like last year," said Sirius, "He's been through a lot and I don't know if he can deal with it alone. His energy is wearing away," he sighed unevenly, "Give him what he needs the most: both your conciliation."
Hermione nodded but couldn't help noticing how Sirius was talking about Harry as if he was his father. She secretly smiled with delight.
"He's formed an alliance with you and he trusts you both more than anyone I know," continued Sirius sternly, "And… you have no idea how important you are to him." Hermione stared at him in appreciation; she knew the importance of her and Ron to Harry, she just understood it more clearly now. Her mind was slowly shifting towards Ron's battering ram idea…
"We'll watch out for him," said Ron, "Just make sure you look out for yourself. Can you see Harry when he snaps out of it?"
"I really wish I could," said Sirius earnestly, "But I have business to… ah… I'll speak with Dumbledore."
"I know Harry'd be very happy to see you."
Sirius nodded again and shrugged. He looked almost shameful, and perhaps he remembered how he left Harry last year: in the infirmary with his body aching with depression and his stomach filled with guilt. However, Hermione had an awfully strong impression that he was going to forget about his 'business', whatever that was.
"Well, it was very nice seeing you two again," said Sirius in a final sort of way, "I think I ought to be going now. It's getting a little late in the morning."
Sirius accompanied them to the entrance of the spiral staircase.
"Sirius," Hermione said as she turned around to speak to him, "You told us Harry thinks we're very important to him. Do you know how important you are to him?" Sirius stared at her in confusion, "He thinks of you as his father. You're the closest person to it."
Sirius nodded slowly, and smiled, "I'll see you later."
Ron and Hermione left the tower, happier than they felt all week. They climbed down the spiral staircase, opened the door to leave, but they found someone blocking it. Ron growled in anger. They were both looking into the face of Draco Malfoy and his two goons.
"Why isn't it Weasel, his friend… and no Potter," said Malfoy with a nasty sneer, "What a surprise. I haven't spoken to you in a long time."
"And let's keep it that way, shall we?" said Hermione and she tried to find a way past them, but Crabbe and Goyle were so bulky that they took up the entire doorway. They guffawed and pushed her back into Ron.
"I don't think so, Mudblood," said Malfoy. Ron roared in anger and reached for his wand, but Hermione stopped him.
"Don't, Ron!" she said loudly, holding an arm back. Malfoy only laughed louder and his hoodlums followed suit. Hermione looked up at the top of the staircase, hoping beyond hope that Sirius had left. If Malfoy were to find him, he'd surely tell the Ministry, and then her and Ron would be questioned for sure. Hermione immediately wished she didn't make any movements; Malfoy looked up too.
"So you were chatting with someone up there, Granger," he said with delight, "I thought I heard voices. Who's up there?"
Neither Ron nor Hermione answered. They looked at each other with apprehensive expressions and Hermione shrugged. Malfoy wasn't pleased.
"Who's up there?" he repeated loudly, his face starting to turn red, "Argh, get out of my way!" Hermione couldn't stop him; he shoved past her and Ron to get to the spiral staircase and started to run up them, his face determined. Hermione almost screamed in refusal. Her white face looked up and watched in horror as Malfoy reached the very top of the stairs. She listened for something, but Malfoy was no longer visible. Then his head appeared over the railing.
"Who were you talking to?" he called down, "There's no one here!"
Ron and Hermione glanced at each other, their faces relieved. Sirius had escaped somehow. They were about to say something along the lines of 'well, we've better be off! Loads to do!' but Malfoy had called down to them once more, "Hey! My-my robes are on fire!"
Malfoy appeared in view at once. He was indeed on fire. Howling in panic, he ran down a few steps of the staircase, the fire on his robes lighting the tower brightly. It was just too much; Ron and Hermione roared in laughter, watching as the blazing fireball that was Malfoy blundered down the spiral staircase, only stopping to realize that his robes were caught on the banister.
Hermione couldn't believe that she could laugh so loudly at such a time of the week; Malfoy had reached a point where he sounded like a screaming banshee. Crabbe and Goyle foolishly hurried forward to help him, which was only a mistake that they could make. Hermione seized Ron's robes, and started pulling him into the corridor.
"N-no! Wait!" laughed Ron, pulling away from Hermione to see more of Malfoy getting burnt to a crisp, but then he realized that Crabbe and Goyle were both charging at them. He shouted in alarm and he and Hermione turned to leave, but two others had joined the revelry.
Dumbledore and Snape had appeared in the doorway, looking at them in surprise. They must have heard the shouting from down the hall, and it came to Hermione that they were all very loud. Snape's face had turned a nasty shade of purple and his cold eyes were mingled with fury. He brandished his wand, pointed it at Malfoy (who had finally reached the bottom of the staircase, half his robes burnt and shredded) and the flames on his robes had distinguished immediately. Crabbe and Goyle lifted Malfoy up by the underarms and attempted to help him over to Snape, but Malfoy pushed them away and staggered pitifully, ensuring that he looked totally and utterly convincing that he was in pain.
It didn't look good. Snape had rounded on Ron and Hermione, his eyes blazing in fury and his wand thrashing about. He looked about ready to explode.
"WHAT DID YOU DO?" he roared in anger, "YOU SHOULD BE EXPELLED!"
Hermione recoiled in fright from Snape, but thankfully, Dumbledore stepped forwards and separated them.
"Come, Severus, don't go to extremities. This could all have been a misunderstanding," he said calmly. Hermione noticed Malfoy smirking at her and Ron with a sort of victorious expression from the corner of his mouth, making sure that Snape or Dumbledore saw him. Ron clenched his fists, looking as though he was tempted to wipe Malfoy's jaw clear off his face. Hermione's furious glance told him not to.
"What happened here?" Dumbledore asked the three of them, Snape trembling with rage beside him. Ron, Hermione and Malfoy all burst into exclamations at once.
"We were just looking around the castle-"
"They were poking around, Professor-"
"Malfoy tried to pick a fight with us when we were leaving-"
"They put my robes on fire, look! And I didn't do anything to them-"
"SILENCE!" shouted Dumbledore, and they all stopped immediately, staring at the headmaster in shaken apprehension. He looked around at all of them with his blue but not quite twinkling eyes, and his gaze landed on Hermione. She gulped.
"Miss. Granger, kindly tell me what happened here, with all the details," Dumbledore told her. Hermione nodded slowly, knowing that Ron's gaze was on the side of her head, swearing that if she got him in trouble, he'd throw insults at her like there was no tomorrow. So Hermione told him, leaving Sirius out completely.
"Ron and were just walking around the castle and we thought it wouldn't hurt to look out the north tower," Hermione told him, "and when we came back down the stairs…" she paused, wondering if it this was a good time to get Malfoy into some big trouble. She could repay him for all the 'Mudblood' insults and the issues he had with Harry. Then she realized that Snape was glaring at her with narrowed eyes. Well, scratch that plan, "… Malfoy was there. He checked what we were up to and his robes caught on fire at the top of the staircase," she paused, "I don't know how it happened."
"Unlikely story!" exclaimed Snape in refusal, "They deliberately lit Draco's robes for revenge!"
"How would you know? You weren't there!" Ron shot back.
"That's enough!" said Dumbledore strictly, "It had not been a very good start for the new school year, and I certainly do not need anymore tribulations in this castle. You have forgotten that were are guests," he looked furiously at Malfoy, Ron and Hermione and said, "There will be punishment for each of you."
Ron Hermione's mouth fell open in surprise and Malfoy made a noise of disbelief.
"What?" he cried, "You can't do that! I didn't do anything!"
"I can do whatever I wish, Mr. Malfoy," said Dumbledore strictly, "Even if it displeases me to do so, you need to be taught not to roam so far from the Grand Hall," he paused for a moment, then finished, "I have no choice but to give you each a detention. You will receive a letter by owl some time in the week."
Then he left with Snape, who cast a very seething look upon Ron and Hermione and a repentant look upon Malfoy, on his heels. They swiftly marched down the corridor and out of site. Hermione sighed.
"See you in detention," said Malfoy smugly as he, Crabbe and Goyle passed them and left through the door. They, too, disappeared, leaving Ron and Hermione to mull over on what had just happened.
Hermione couldn't understand it. Dumbledore was normally considerate and he had never given them a detention let alone not believing their side of the story. He knew Malfoy's tricks and pranks, but yet, he seemed very unaffected by them. His bad mood was getting worse.
"C'mon, we better get out of here," said Hermione. She and Ron left, their stomachs feeling considerably heavy, and slowly walked back to the Grand hall
"Well, it was good while it lasted," said Hermione, "But Malfoy could've really been hurt."
"Yeah. He can't go to the infirmary either… Harry's still in there," said Ron, fading off. Their stomach fell to their feet under the sudden burden of guilt.
They walked back to the Grand Hall, not caring how quickly they went. What they really needed now was to see Harry. They had a few questions at ask, like why Marindernia had attacked him and why she attacked him looking horrifyingly possessed. And Hermione just wanted to see him in good health.
The Grand Hall had more decorations then it had when they had left and it was starting to look more like the Great Hall back at Hogwarts. Wreaths were hanging along the walls and evergreen garland was lining the long tables. Enormous platters of fruitcake and cherry pastry sat on the tables, surrounded by Christmassy festoon and from the tall entrance doors came a man lugging massive snowy evergreen trees inside to put them with the several others lying next to the Dryconderoga table, ready to be decorated. Hermione didn't need Ron's surprised gasp to realize who'd be strong enough to carry that many trees inside.
"Hermione, It's Hagrid!"
They ran up to him, feeling relieved, with Ron shouting, "Hagrid! Where have you been?"
Hagrid's head poked through the branches of the trees to see them. His cheeks were big and rosy from the cold and his tangled beard had icicles dangling from it. He warmly smiled at them and said, "Ah, I was wonderin' when I'd see you two. How're you fellin' today?"
"Fine, I suppose," said Hermione, "How's everything with you?"
Hagrid lugged the massive tree over to the others and effortlessly threw it on the very top of the pile of pine needles and brushwood. He sighed and brushed his moleskin overcoat from snow.
"Could be better… an' about Harry," he heaved another sigh, "It's got yeh all troubled. I mean the say that Harry's been through this, yeh know? Back at Hogwarts?"
Ron and Hermione nodded sulkily.
"He don' need it here too. But mind… it's funny, ain't it? What happened to him? Er… what did happen to him?" Hagrid scratched his chin in thought. Hermione bit her lip, "Nobody seems ter know an' Dumbledore's 'bin acting strange lately. Won't tell anyone a thing."
"He doesn't know who did it, Hagrid," said Ron in aspiration, "But I do. It was- OUCH!"
Hermione tread heavily on his foot in attempt to stop him from saying too much. He doubled backwards, clutching his injured foot with an angry expression.
"What'd you do that for?" he roared at her. Hermione grinned awkwardly at Hagrid, who was staring curiously at them, and laughed nervously. She was on the brink of inventing an imaginative excuse when someone else invited themselves into the conversation.
"Excuse me?"
Hermione looked around and saw a pink-faced witch with long, black hair and claret robes walking up from behind Hagrid. She smiled widely at them, and Hermione suddenly realized that she had seen her before.
"Madam Marmalade?" she said incredulously, "What…what are you doing here?"
"Hello again, Hermione," said the witch, "I'm just here for a few interviews."
Ron had forgotten about his foot and stood, halfway off the ground, looking from Hermione and the witch in confusion.
"Interviews? Why?"
"What a minute… you know each other?" said Ron, eyebrows raised, "Where from?"
"Madam Marmalade's, didn't I tell you? Where I got my robes for the ball?" After a moment, realization dawned on Ron's face.
"So you're a shop owner and you're here… doing interviews."
"I'm the new reporter for The Daily Prophet," said Madam Marmalade. Hermione gawked at her.
"You? But you didn't tell me!"
"I didn't think it would be appropriate, seeing that you were visiting Dryconderoga for the Tournament. I'm doing a page in the Daily Prophet for it every week and I didn't want to startle you," said Madam Marmalade kindly. It was about then when Hermione realized that Hagrid was there, looking absolutely befuddled. He scratched his massive head and grunted.
"I'll just get going. Lots ter do."
And he stomped away out the doors to the snowy grounds.
"So… your friend's still in the infirmary. I was hoping I'd get an interview with him," said Madam Marmalade. Ron narrowed his eyes at her.
"How d'you know about Harry?" he asked her. Madam Marmalade smiled at him.
"Your headmaster told me not too long ago," she said, "Mr. Siamoen allowed me to explore the castle for ideas. So… you don't think you'd allow me to interview you, do you?"
Hermione glanced at Ron. He had obviously realized that Madam Marmalade was the same reporter who has been writing the resent truthful articles in the daily Prophet. And they had never had an interview before.
"Sure, I suppose," said Ron. Madam Marmalade clapped her hands together in delight and took her emerald handbag from her shoulder. She rummaged through it and took out a few roles of parchment and an eagle feather quill. Once she had gathered her things, they all sat at the decorated Hogwarts table.
"Firstly, tell me a bit about yourselves," said Madam Marmalade keenly, spreading her parchment along the table. She suspended her quill over her papers and let go. For a moment, it jiggled restlessly, then floated perfectly still, the tip touching the parchment, ready to write.
"Er…" said Ron, who was watching the quill as it started to zoom back and forth across the parchment, "I'm Ron Weasley and… this is my fifth year at Hogwarts."
"Perfect start," said Madam Marmalade, "You're both in Gryffindor, right? So what's your relationship with Harry Potter? Is he your best friend?"
"Yes," said Hermione, "We had a few problems at first, but we've been best friends since our first year. We met him on the train."
"What sort of problems?"
"Well…" started Hermione, "I had acted a little snobbish when I met them and they didn't seem to like me at all. I hate to admit it but… I should have made a better impression," she sighed, "Then Harry and Ron saved me form a mountain troll and we started speaking with each other. I fight a lot with Ron but… I don't think I've ever fought with Harry and really meant it."
"So you two are on very good terms," said Madam Marmalade.
"Yes, you could say that."
"What about you, Ron?"
Ron thought for a moment, biting his lip. "I really never fought with Harry either. I think the problem is Hermione."
Madam Marmalade laughed. Hermione scowled at him until he had frowned and corrected himself. "What I meant to say is that Hermione is only a little guilty. It's partly my fault too."
As he answered, the quill glided across the parchment, unsupported by any hands. She looked at what it read:
An exclusive interview with the best friends of the Hogwart's Champion. As I sit here at the Hogwart's table in Dryconderoga, the castle in which the Tournament of Demontarity is being held, I prepare to ask Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger a few questions.
These fifth-year Gryffindors had met Harry Potter in their first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the Hogwart's Express and despite a few troubles and tribulations, they have been best friends ever since.
'I had acted a little snobbish when I met them and they didn't seem to like me at all. I hate to admit it but… I should have made a better impression,' says Hermione with a sigh, 'Harry and Ron saved me from a mountain troll in our first year and we stated speaking with each other after that. I fight a lot with Ron but I don't think I've ever fought with Harry and really meant it.'
As surprising as that may seem, Hermione sounds very sincere. And as for Ron-
'I really never fought with Harry either. I think the problem is Hermione,' he confessed, ' What I meant to say is that Hermione is only a little guilty. It's partly my fault too.'
"So what do you think about the tournament, Ron?" Madam Marmalade asked.
"I think it's a good opportunity, but it's much too similar to the Triwizard Tournament. And that wasn't good to watch."
"What about Tisroc Whin? What do you think of him?"
"I don't like Hwin. He had a grudge against Harry ever since he met him and he's bloody mad! He's been acting like a git to Harry because of some Quidditch record that he set that beat Harry's dad."
"Really?" said Madam Marmalade in surprise, "That's fascinating. Hermione, what do you have to say about Marindernia?"
Hermione sighed in relief that she was to answer that one. Ron would surely let something out that would be very dodgy.
"Marindernia's very smart and Whin's a very good athlete, but my attitude to them is about the same. She have said a few rude things to me, but it's nothing to go to pieces over."
"And…" started Madam Marmalade with a cautious expression, "What about Harry? What do you think his odds are?"
Hermione bit her lip, hoping that Ron would answer. But he didn't. He was watching Siamoen levitate Christmas decorations onto a pine tree at the front of the Hall with a forlorn frown. Hermione gulped.
"I think his odds are very good if he believes he can make it. But truthfully, it's up to him if he wants to win. He's done it before and if he feels that what he did last year was enough, than he can withdraw from the Tournament. It's completely his choice and we'll agree with him with whatever he decides."
The quill, which was still vigorously writing, trembled.
"And about the resent tragedy?" continued Madam Marmalade, speaking as though Hermione had a choice to answer or not. She watched Hermione as she swallowed hard and spoke.
"I just want him to get better."
Madam Marmalade just nodded and the quill stopped. She picked it up, gathered up her parchment and tucked them inside her handbag.
"Thank you very much," she said, "You'll find your article on the front page of the Daily Prophet tomorrow evening. I think you'll be surprised with it," she cleared her throat and stood up, "I do hope you'll feel better soon. I know that things will get better very soon. You can be sure of that."
Hermione watched her leave out the oak doors to the grounds with watery eyes. Ron had finally seemed to notice her and looked away from the decorating. He stared.
"Hermione, don't do this to me," he said to her worriedly, "You know I can't deal with you like that!"
Hermione looked up at him and nodded. She whipped her eyes on her sleeve and sniffed.
"Hermione, I bet we'll see him tomorrow. It sounds as if Madam What's-her-name's up to something," said Ron, shaking her shoulder roughly, "Sorry, I can't remember her name. But I know it started with an 'M'."
Hermione blocked further interference from Ron; something had just occurred to her. Ron had point, Madam Marmalade seemed a little strange. For someone who hadn't seen Harry in the infirmary, she seemed terribly sure that they'd see Harry soon. Hermione ran this theory over to Ron.
"Now you're just plain barmy. Maybe a little detention will clear you're head, eh? Sound's like fun, right?"
"Yes," sighed Hermione, "Loads."
…~'*'~…
A/N: I don't know if that's a good or bad place to end it, but I thought I'd stop at a line where Ron's fruitlessly trying to be annoying. So… good so far? I certainly hope so! And I'm sorry it took to long to post… FF.net has been down (again!) and I had it finished and waiting to be posted. So FF.net said I'll be able to post on June.19… then they said I couldn't… same thing with June. 20th. And it's now June 28th and guess what… it's still down! Oh, what a coincidence! But school's over for me now, that means more time to write. Besides… I'm planning to write about 5 more chapters until I end this story! YAAAHHHHH! Oh, and…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CANADA! I LOVE YOU! *ahem… pardon me*