"Oh come now, Harry. Just concentrate!"

Harry heaved a great sigh and flopped down onto the scarlet couch beside him. "I can't do it, Hermione," he groaned, pushing his glasses out of the way so he could rub at his eyes. Hermione scowled and crossed her arms. "If I can't summon objects in the safety of the common room, how am I going to summon something when I'm face to face with a dragon? Plus the First Task is tomorrow, there's no way I'll be able to master it today."

"You don't have to master it, Harry." Hermione said. "You just have to be able to get your broomstick from the castle to the arena before you get burned to a crisp." Harry pulled a scarlet pillow over his face. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Get up, Harry. You should keep practicing."

Harry groaned again, though he did slump to his feet and grab his wand. "What do you want me to attempt to summon now?"

Hermione held up a pillow. "Just this pillow." She had a sly grin on her face.

Just as Harry said "Accio pillow!", Hermione whipped out her own wand from her sleeve and cried "Lacarnum inflamarae!" A large ball of bright blue flames burst from Hermione's wand and soared across the common room in Harry's direction. Harry caught the pillow in one hand, and said "Protego!" just before the ball of flames reached him. The blue fire hit his shield charm and curved around his body before dissipating.

Harry threw the pillow at a grinning Hermione. "What the heck was that for?"

"You summoned the pillow," Hermione stated, a smug grin planted firmly on her face.

"Well, yeah, I suppose so. But you attacked me!"

"Oh quit being a baby, Harry. We both know you do better when you're being attacked." Harry crossed his arms. Hermione pointed at a book on the floor by her feet. "Summon it."

It was well past eleven at night when Harry could finally summon objects without seeing them. He was surrounded by numerous random objects that Hermione had scrounged up from the depths of the couch or told him to summon from the dormitories. Such objects included several scarlet pillows, at least seven different Transfiguration books, Fred and George's entire stash of Canary Creams, Ginny's worn copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, and the most recent letter from Sirius that had arrived, advising Harry to be careful against the dragon tomorrow and wishing him luck.

Hermione yawned widely. "I believe you've got it now, Harry," she said. "Let's go to bed now. You need all the rest you can get for tomorrow."

"Right. Goodnight, Hermione," Harry said. He grabbed Sirius's letter and looked as though he was going to return all the things he summoned, but instead shrugged his shoulders and left them on the couch and headed up the stairs to his dorm.

Hermione called out a goodnight after him before heading for her own dorm. She didn't even change out of her robes into pajamas; she merely pulled the curtains around her bed shut, collapsed on top of the duvet, and promptly fell asleep.

When she awoke in the morning, it was to the sound of the door snapping shut behind Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil as they headed down to breakfast. Hermione sat up in bed and was vaguely aware that her hair resembled a very large and very puffy cloud around her head. She tried to smooth it back down with her hand, but to no avail. Hermione tugged her curtains open, allowing the morning sun to stab her right in her tired eyes.

With a grunt, Hermione dragged herself out of bed and stumbled through her morning routine. She brushed her teeth, stared at the dark circles under her eyes for a solid three minutes and twenty-seven seconds, magically tamed her hair back, and changed into a different pair of robes. She skipped out on her usual shower. It may have been a Tuesday, but it was the morning of the First Task, and all classes had been cancelled. She could shower after breakfast if she so chose.

Hermione was hit with a sudden wave of anxiety and nerves as she descended the staircase and entered the Great Hall. Two of her close friends would be facing off against a dragon in just a few hours. Hermione had a feeling that one of them would end up on fire.

"'Ermione!" called Fleur from just outside the Great Hall. Hermione turned just in time to witness Fleur come flying through the huge doors and to get swept up into a very enthusiastic hug. "Bonjour, ma chérie!"

Hermione didn't notice the way that she sank into Fleur's embrace until Fleur removed her arms and Hermione nearly fell over. She ducked her head to hide the flush that raced up her neck. "Bonjour, Fleur. Ça va?"

Fleur smiled brightly, showing off her perfect white teeth. "Ça va, merci, 'Ermione. 'Ave I told you zat I enjoy leestening to you speak French?"

Hermione's face flushed red. "No, you haven't." She tucked her hair behind her ears. "Are you ready for the first task?"

"Oui, I do believe so." Fleur leaned in close and lowered her voice. "Deed you know zat we will be facing dragons?" Hermione nodded. "Génial. I trust zat young 'Arry ees prepared?" Another nod. Fleur easily slung an arm about Hermione's shoulders and began walking to her usual spot at the Gryffindor table. Hermione's stomach felt like her large and small intestine were dancing with each other. In other words, she had a very funny, fluttery feeling that she couldn't quite figure out and she made a mental note to read up on it later. "'Arry ees lucky to 'ave you as a fraind."

Harry and Ginny were already at breakfast, with Ginny sitting across from him. Ron was nowhere in sight. Ginny shot Hermione a smug smirk before turning and snatching a sausage from Harry's plate. Fleur used the arm around Hermione to pull the brunette flush against her side and planted a kiss on her temple with a smile.

"Zis ees where you normally sit, non?" Fleur asked, her smile contagiously bright. She looked away from Hermione to acknowledge the others. "Bonjour Ginny and 'Arry. And good luck to you, 'Arry. I am certain zat you will do well today."

Fleur dropped a kiss to Hermione's red cheek – just one cheek – and squeezed her one last time before nodding to the others and taking off for the Ravenclaw table. Hermione watched Fleur take a seat beside another girl with long braided hair, who then shot a friendly look in Hermione's direction before rapidly spouting something off to Fleur in French.

"What was that about?" Harry wondered aloud.

Hermione took a seat beside Ginny and took her time in filling her plate before she responded. "Sometimes Fleur just so happens to be a bit…touchy," she said. Her cheeks colored. "Really touchy," she added.

"It means Fleur likes yooouuu," Ginny cooed, clasping her hands in front of her chest and batting her eyelashes.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Come off it, Gin. We're just friends."

"Oh yeah?" Ginny challenged. "Fleur doesn't flirt with me, and we've hung out for a total of like, three hours. On multiple occasions."

"Fleur and I have known each other for longer than a month," was Hermione's dignified response. She cut her sausages into even pieces.

"You knew her for a week before you went without seeing each other for a year and a half, so I wouldn't necessarily say that you have an advantage there." Ginny pointed out. "But I haven't seen Fleur hang onto anyone else like she did to you."

Hermione's stomach twisted at the thought of Fleur hugging and kissing anyone else. She gave her head a quick shake. "We're just good friends, Gin."

Ginny held up her hands in defeat and returned her attention to her plate. "Alright, 'Mione, whatever you say."

We're just good friends.

Those words sounded hollow even to Hermione.

The arena that had been set up was enormous. Granted, that was to be expected as it had to seat all of Hogwarts as well as the guests and four mother dragons and their many handlers. On one end of the arena was a clutch of eggs perched atop a stone hill. There were seven eggs – six of which were the typical, shiny, spotted and off-white colored eggs, but the seventh was a bright, glimmering gold. The golden egg was the champions' goal.

Beside the stone hill was the gate in which the dragons would come from and the thick steel pole that the dragons would be chained to was at the bottom of the hill. On the opposite side of the arena was the entrance in which the champions would come through. Between the two points was a multitude of large boulders of varying sizes and in the very center was a bit of a valley with a stream running through it. The stream branched off in numerous directions through the arena and thus provided low and high points for both the dragons and the champions to hide in throughout the entire arena. All in all, it would be a very treacherous environment for the champions and not so much the dragons. A sprained ankle would be all that it took to cause someone to turn into a giant fireball.

Hermione had squished herself into a seat between Ginny and a sulking Ron. Ginny was leaned forward in her seat and was nearly shaking with excitement, but Hermione felt heavy with dread.

"It just had to be bleeding dragons," Hermione muttered, wringing her hands together nervously. "Why couldn't it be bloody unicorns?"

Ginny turned in her seat. "A unicorn would just stab them with its horn or something."

"Dragons breathe fire and have foot long fangs."

"I'm sure there's a variation of a unicorn somewhere out there that shoots fire out of its nostrils and has abnormally long teeth."

Hermione huffed and crossed her arms, though she did agree that the light banter had eased her nerves a bit. Besides, obviously everyone involved were greats wizards and witches – otherwise the Goblet wouldn't have picked them for the tournament.

Suddenly, a whistle blew from somewhere above the arena. A blue-ish grey dragon was led through the gate and chained to the steel pole jammed into the rock. The Swedish Short-Snout gingerly sniffed at the eggs perched atop the hill, paying no attention to the handlers or the crowd. It abruptly turned its head upward to the sky and let out an earthshattering roar. Hermione clamped her hands over her ears. Who was unlucky enough to have drawn that dragon?

Cedric Diggory appeared at the other end of the arena. The dragon whipped its head in his direction and roared in warning. Cedric took another step into the arena, but had to dive behind a boulder when the dragon shot off a blast of fire clear across the arena. He drew his wand and fired a bright blue spell at the dragon, but it bounced harmlessly off its hide and dissipated into the air with a sharp sizzle. Another fireball was shot in his direction.

Hermione covered her eyes for the remainder of Cedric's bout with the Swedish Short-Snout. She could've sworn that she heard a bark from a dog before the crowd roared in delight, signaling that Cedric had retrieved the egg.

The Swedish Short-Snout was whisked out of the arena and out came a green dragon with brown spikes down its spine. The Welsh Green was a bit smaller than the Short-Snout, but looked equally as dangerous. Out of the champions' gate came Fleur. She had a confidence in her step that gave her a bit of a dangerous aura. Ron turned his usual shade of purple at the sight of her.

Fleur was dressed in powder blue robes, though these robes resembled a Quidditch uniform more than they did a Beauxbatons uniform. Hermione figured it was much more practical anyway – Fleur's school uniform consisted of a skirt and blouse, after all. Though Hermione preferred Fleur in this apparel when compared to the school uniform – the slightly baggy, powder blue pants with the matching Beauxbatons shirt and robe over it all. Fingerless, leather gloves adorned her hands and running shoes covered her feet.

Ginny leaned over and wiped at the corners of Hermione's mouth with a grin. "Careful there, 'Mione. You might start drooling."

Hermione swatted at Ginny's hand before returning her attention to the arena. Fleur was now crouched behind a boulder, wand clutched loosely in one glove-clad hand. She peered around the edge of the boulder. The Welsh Green had turned its back on Fleur and had preoccupied itself with inspecting the eggs.

Fleur took the opportunity to creep forward and she dropped down into the valley. She disappeared from Hermione's sight, though the dragon must have heard something because it suddenly whipped around with a roar and spit a shower of fire into the air above the valley. Fleur popped up and fired off a quick spell. The white bolt struck the dragon between the eyes. The dragon reared back and hissed. It sprang forward, more fire spilling from its wide jaws. Fleur ducked and ran into the valley, easily leaping over a boulder and disappearing once more with a swish of her robes.

The athleticism that Fleur was showcasing made Hermione feel light and warm. She bit her lip to hide a grin, but she easily swatted away Ginny's hand before the redhead could wipe at her mouth again. She was allowed to fawn over her friend if she so chose.

The Welsh Green stalked along the edge of the valley, long claws sinking deep into the wet mud. It shot a blast of fire into the valley, though Hermione couldn't see Fleur to know if she dodged or not. However, the blonde raced up the opposite edge of the valley. She jumped atop a boulder about fifty feet from the dragon and shot off a series of spells. Green, violet, blue, shimmery silver, red, gold, and pink fired from the end of her wand. Each spell struck the dragon at some point. The onslaught angered the Welsh and it shot the largest blast of fire yet. Hermione could see Fleur's eyes widen as she was engulfed in the fire.

Hermione gasped sharply and made to stand up, but was halted by Ginny tugging on her elbow. "'Mione, look!"

Sure enough, the spot where Fleur was engulfed in flame was singed, with no blonde witch in sight. Instead, two more identical Fleurs ran up from different points of the valley and engaged the dragon while a third, mud covered and singed Fleur sprinted for the eggs. She snatched up the golden egg and triumphantly held it above her head, goofy grin adorning her features.

Ginny stood, hooted and cheered for Fleur along with the crowd. Hermione joined her and matched the redhead's enthusiasm.

"Did you see that?" Hermione gushed, eyes wide and admiring. "Absolutely brilliant spellwork!"

Hermione didn't even pay much attention to Krum and the Chinese Fireball. She replayed Fleur's performance over and over until it was finally time for Harry to face the Hungarian Horntail, which was the most dangerous dragon of them all. The Horntail proved to be exceptionally dangerous, especially once it broke free of its chains and gave chase to Harry on his summoned Firebolt.

Boy and beast were gone for over ten minutes before Harry finally zoomed back to the arena, Horntail hot on his tail. Harry flew up, up, up above everyone's heads before plummeting back down to earth, dragon following him everywhere ("Wronski Feint, that's the Wronski Feint!" Hermione vaguely remembered Ron babbling something about a feint at this moment though she wasn't exactly certain, considering the fact that she was preoccupied with nervously chewing her nails). Harry pulled out of the dive at the last second, snatching the golden egg just as the dragon handlers burst through the gate and wrangled up the Hungarian Horntail.

Hermione only stayed long enough to catch the standings: Cedric scored 37 out of 50, Fleur a 40, Krum received a 39, and Harry was given a 40. Ginny and Hermione hugged at the prospect of Harry and Fleur being at the top.

"You should go on down to the medical tent, I'm sure that's where they all are now," Ginny suggested. "And take Ron with you, he needs to make up with Harry while you ogle Fleur. I'm gonna go and collect my winnings from Fred."

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny's jest, but grabbed Ron by the arm nonetheless. Together, they fought through the swarm of students and made their way to the medical tent. Inside the tent, there were four sections, each equipped with a cot and variety of potions and salves – one section for each champion. Hermione steered Ron toward Harry to make sure that the two actually made up.

"Harry," Ron started, face pale like he had seen a ghost, "whoever put your name in that Goblet must be rolling in their grave. Bloody hell, mate, you put on a bloody good show."

Hermione rolled her eyes at the apology but it seemed to work for Harry, so it would work for her. The brunette left the two alone and wandered over to Fleur.

Fleur was leaning against the cot rather than sitting on it, pants slung low across her hips and shirt riding up just enough for Hermione to catch a glimpse of smooth skin. Fleur beamed at a pink faced Hermione. Her right arm was wrapped up in fresh, white bandages and she had dried mud smeared across her face and robes. Hermione stepped forward and socked Fleur in her good arm.

The blonde merely flinched and sheepishly grinned. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, Fleur Isabelle Delacour," Hermione demanded, crossing her arms across her chest.

"I won't make zat promise until after ze tournament, ma chérie," Fleur said. She reached out for Hermione with a small smile painting her features. "But 'ow about a hug for a job well done?"

Hermione pretended to huff as she stepped into Fleur's arms. The embrace was soft, but spoke a thousand words to Hermione as she rested her head against Fleur's shoulder. She felt as though she belonged in Fleur's arms, comfortably tucked against her side. The necklace about Hermione's neck burned hot against her skin due to their close proximity, though it did not harm her. Instead, it was more of a comforting presence. It was a reminder that she was really here, pressed against Fleur.

"And just what do you think you're doing in my tent, Miss Granger?" barked Madame Pomfrey, suddenly appearing from behind the screen that separated Fleur and Cedric. Hermione jumped out of their hug, immediately feeling her heart sink despite the fact that Fleur kept a hand on the brunette's waist. "I've already had to shoo out Mr. Weasley, I don't have to show you the exit as well, do I?"

"No, Madame Pomfrey," Hermione said, "I'll leave right now."

Madame Pomfrey nodded curtly before moving on to Krum.

Hermione turned back to face Fleur with a frown. "Ma chérie, you really must be going or you will get in trouble again," Fleur said with a bit of a pout.

"I know…" Hermione pouted as well.

Fleur used the hand still on Hermione's waist to tug her close. She planted a lingering kiss on Hermione's cheek. "Salut, 'Ermione. A bientôt." Hermione mustered up the courage to return the favor by placing a chaste kiss on Fleur's cheek. Fleur's face split into a toothy grin, which made Hermione's stomach flutter.

"Miss Granger!"

As Madame Pomfrey chased her out of the tent, Hermione couldn't help but think that maybe Ginny was right. Maybe she liked Fleur as more than a friend.

And she had no problem with that.