Chapter Six
The third task
Hermione yells of celebration turned to screams of terror as Harry materialised at the edge of the maze and she realised that he was clutching Cedric's body. She grabbed Ron's arm and dragged him down from the stands and through the crowds trying to reach Harry. By the time they had fought their way between the crush of bodies, Harry was gone. "Harry!" Ron bellowed. She felt a tug on her arm and looked round to see Fred's grim face and she took his hand as he pulled her free of the people surrounding Cedric and his father, who was howling over his son. Fred pulled her into a fierce hug. The rest of the Weasleys appeared around them.
"Where's Harry?" Asked Mrs Weasley and Bill.
"We don't know" said Ron who had found his way out too.
"We should go up to the castle, to the hospital wing" said Hermione.
Hermione found herself gravitating to Fred as they waited for news. The both sat with tier backs against the wall, shoulders touching and drawing strength from each other. Ginny was curled up on Fred's other side, his arm around her.
Lord Voldemort had returned. Hermione was packing her trunk wondering what this meant for the wizarding world and what it meant for her best friend. She glanced at the jar containing Reeta Skeeter thinking she should pop outside and get some twigs for her. She headed out into the grounds alone. She and Ron had been spending most of their time with Harry, none of them talking much. It was a beautiful summers day and a warm breeze floated lazily across the lake where the Durmstrang ship was moored. It was so peaceful out here that she decided to go for a walk around the edge of the water. When she reached the spot that Harry had sent his Patronus across the lake to save her, Sirius and himself she stopped and sat down. Her eyes filled will tears as she thought of Cedric and how nothing was going to be the same from now on. After a while she dried her eyes, stood up straight and headed back up to the school.
The train ride home was bittersweet. Fred and George joined them in their compartment and played exploding snap with them. Fred and Hermione's eyes kept meeting over the cards and she was filled with even more uncertainty. She didn't know what was going on with the Weasley twin but the strength of her feelings scared her. She felt this deep rooted connection with him that seemed to get stronger each time they had met up over the year. She wasn't looking forward to not seeing him for the summer holiday and found herself hoping Ron would invite her to the burrow.
