DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter.

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A/N: One hundred reviews! Wow! Thank you!

I'm having a hard time writing the fourth-year. You see, the other Severus Snape only gave out his memories from 1994-1998, hence, Barty's capture during the World Cup and Crouch Sr's sacking.

Whatever happens, I hope you'll stick with me.

And by the way, Hogwarts students still don't know that Lupin's a werewolf because... remember, Hermione went to Severus and told him what happened? He was less bitter.

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Warning: Mature content

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Chapter 35: More (a.k.a. Eternal Glory)

"An impartial judge which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand Galleons personal prize money." - Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

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1994

(Cedric and Hermione's past)

"Oi, Ced! You're going to enter your name, aren't you?"

"Oh, do it, Ced! You'll be seventeen in two weeks."

"Marcus Flint's going to enter his name. We can't have a Slytherin for a champion, Ced!"

"So, are you going to enter your name?"

"'Course, I will."

Hermione stabbed her pancake rather aggressively at her boyfriend's response. He was sitting beside her, like always, and had an arm wrapped around her waist, a hand resting on her hip. But she was looking away from him. Susan gave her a sympathetic look and Hermione huffed as they went on their breakfast, letting Ced speak with his fellow sixth-years.

"Hermione, the elves will be unhappy to know that you're disrespecting the food they prepared," Susan murmured to her.

She sighed and stopped stabbing her food.

"I wonder who's going to be the impartial judge," said Daffodil beside Terrence. "I hope they would be wise enough to pick a Hufflepuff over a Slytherin."

"I hope they're not from Hogwarts, to avoid house-biases, you know," quipped a sixth-year girl.

Last night, during the start-of-term feast, the headmaster announced that the inter-house Quidditch Cup wouldn't take place this year because Hogwarts was the host of the Triwizard Tournament. The tournament's participants would be the champion from each participating school - the three biggest magical schools of Europe: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and Durmstrang Institute. The prize was a thousand Galleons, a cup, and of course, eternal glory.

The latter was what her boyfriend wanted, not just for himself, but for the Hufflepuff House. Hermione was tired of hearing people say that Hufflepuffs are duffers, unambitious, and noncompetitive. She wanted to prove them wrong; that was why she always did her best in every class. But this was different. The tournament was risky. People died during the tournament years ago and frankly speaking, she didn't trust the headmaster's words anymore. The only Hogwarts staff she trusted were Professor Snape and her Head of House, Professor Sprout.

The latter was Ced's godmother, but Hermione doubted she could talk to her about discouraging Ced.

Professor Snape, on the other hand...

Hermione stood up and grabbed her bag, avoiding Ced's inquiring look. He caught her wrist before she could leave. "Where are you going? You haven't finished your food."

"I want to be early in Potions," she replied honestly.

"Honestly, Hermione, it's the first day of classes," Daffodil said casually. "I doubt Professor Snape would be pleased to see a student so early."

"Oh, didn't you know?" teased Terrence. "Our little Potioneer, Hermione Granger, is the only one safe from Professor Snape's wrath?"

Hermione shook her head and pulled her hand from Ced's grip. She left the group without a word.

She felt a bit guilty for the way she acted. She had hurt Ced's feelings. But he wouldn't stop talking about entering the tournament since last night. He also dismissed her protests and acted like he didn't hear her. He would still touch her just like the usual, but wouldn't listen to her about the tournament.

"Miss Granger, you're early," Professor Snape said in a manner of greeting when she entered the Potions classroom, which was surprisingly unlocked when she turned the handle.

"Professor," she gave him a curt nod and chose a table up the front.

"You're not going to ask how you managed to enter the room while the other students can't unless I open the door for them?" the professor inquired, walking a few steps closer to her table, arms folded across his chest.

Hermione met his obsidian eyes. "Cedric wants to enter the tournament," she told him. Despite knowing that Professor Snape was not the type of professor who would listen to relationship problems or comfort crying children, after two years of brewing sessions with him, she felt comfortable around him. She felt like she could tell him anything, especially after she learnt that he was the one who cast protective charms in their village.

"You are worried," he stated.

Hermione nodded. "People died."

"Didn't you hear what the headmaster said last night? He and the Ministry worked hard last summer to ensure the safety of this year's participants."

Hermione closed her eyes and sighed heavily. Then, she opened her eyes again and stared at her professor.

"You know, Hermione, if you came early to have a conversation with me, you'd have to talk."

Hermione chuckled at his tone and use of her first name. He was right, of course. Times like this, she knew that the professor was lowering down the invisible barrier he shielded upon himself from everyone. He was lowering down his walls for her. "I'm sorry, Professor Snape... But, I'm sure you do well remember what I told you before the end of my third year, about the headmaster. It's my fourth year at this school. I've spent the first three years witnessing dangerous things happening under the watch of the greatest wizard in the world..."

"Do not insult Albus Dumbledore," he said and looked at her as if she had grown four ears.

Hermione bit her lip and looked down. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Hermione, I understand where you're coming from. Believe me," he said softly, surprising Hermione. "While your honesty is admired, I cannot encourage you to talk about my employer and mentor like that."

She nodded.

"I assure you, this year's tournament will be safe and no one will die."

There was something in his tone that made her feel relieved and believe that. Perhaps, it was also because of her knowledge that he cared for her and her parents' well-being.

"Do you trust me, Hermione?"

She met his eyes again. She wanted to ask him why he cast protective charms in their village, but she didn't want to cross the boundaries too much. She thought he would tell her when he wanted to... or when he was ready. Just like earlier, when he told her that she was the only one who could open the door before class time.

"I do, Professor. I trust you."

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August 2020

(the present)

Hermione just left Severus's apothecary and decided to walk around the village before Apparating home when she spotted Harry Potter walking towards her direction. He hadn't spotted her yet because he was with Dean Thomas, and they were in a hushed conversation. They must be there for work because they were wearing their Auror robes. She thought of turning around and going back to Severus's apothecary, but Harry Potter had already spotted her. He said something quickly to Dean Thomas and waved before leaving the other wizard to approach her. She really did turn around and walked back to the apothecary. She doubted Harry Potter would pester her in front of Severus.

"Hermione Granger!"

She stopped and rolled her eyes when she faced him. "Really, Potter? I've been married for twenty years now, and you still don't call me 'Diggory'?"

Harry Potter grinned and was about to retort when they heard a door slamming. They both turned their heads to the direction of the noise and realized that they were in front of Three Broomsticks. And someone with ginger red hair just entered the pub: Ginny Potter.

"Potter, what do you want?" she asked in a bored tone, with Severus's face in her mind in an attempt to copy his tone.

"How's Al?" he asked casually as if talking about the weather.

"He's totally fine, under the watch of the Unspeakables. He will be leaving soon, so please just forget about him."

Harry sighed. "He said something that day at the hospital... He said that in the universe where he came from, we were best friends..."

"Yeah, because in that universe, it was Professor McGonagall who delivered Hermione Granger's Hogwarts letter, not Professor Sprout and Ced, that's why Hermione Granger of that universe ended up in Gryffindor, not Hufflepuff." She spoke fast as if she was in a hurry.

There were longing and sadness in Harry Potter's face.

"And no, don't think about it because, in that universe, Hermione Granger was the godmother of Harry Potter's son," she warned.

"So, she ended up with Cedric Diggory," he whispered.

"Yes!" she lied and said loudly. "And you with Ginevra. "So you see, there will never be a universe where -"

"I get it, Granger," he replied bitterly. "Just so you know, I don't call you 'Granger' because I don't acknowledge your marriage. It's just that... Diggory is Diggory, just like Malfoy's still Malfoy and not Draco even if we're working together now... And uh, I am not trying to be close to you to flirt... I finally realized why I still want to be your friend, to be part of your life."

Hermione frowned at that and felt a bit guilty for the way she treated him earlier.

"I guess, it's because I never had the chance to be your close friend..." he admitted. "For years, I loved the idea of being an important person to you... Whenever you were concerned about my well-being in our Hogwarts days, it made me happy and hopeful. You were like a light in a dark alley for me. I'm sure, I really had romantic feelings for you and our sixth year was, by far, the best year for me because for once, Diggory wasn't there... But the reason why I still cling to the hope of being close to you... because I never actually had the chance to be that person... never had the chance to know you more, to spend time with you outside Hogwarts. I was jealous of your friends... because I have witnessed how good of a friend you are..."

"Harry, I'm sorry if I didn't give you the chance..."

"Diggory beat me to it," he chuckled. "And looks like in the other universe, he still did."

She didn't feel the need to correct him. She didn't want to hurt her even more. "But you have the Weasleys, Harry. They all loved you even during Hogwarts years."

Harry nodded. "Ron was a prat but was a good friend... best mate. The twins looked after me, treated me like their own blood. And Molly and Arthur cared for me. But I guess, humans, by nature - magical or not - just don't get contented. Humans always want more. And in my case, that 'more' was you. Sorry... Listen, Ginny and I are divorcing... Don't listen to her if she blames you."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she replied sincerely. That was all she could say. She was unprepared for a confession and heart-to-heart talk in the middle of Hogsmeade, even though people couldn't hear them because of the privacy charms the Auror had cast discreetly after the door slamming. "I still wish you happiness... and peace."

She wished Harry Potter didn't focus on her more when they were young. She wished he had just fallen in love with Ginny Weasley during their Hogwarts days because she could not wish that she had not focused on Ced more. Being with Ced was one thing she never regretted in her life.

"Thank you, Hermione Diggory. Be safe. Always." Harry gave her a small smile and left without waiting for her reply.

She Apparated home, thankful for her life - for her husband whom she was sure would never file for divorce; for her wonderful children; for Terrence, their good friend who helped Ced build a home for their family; for Susan and Ian for still being there after almost three decades; for her parents and Cedric's parents, and Severus. She didn't feel lonely since she started Hogwarts. She didn't feel unwelcome and alone in the wizarding world, despite being a bookworm and 'know-it-all'.

Most of all, she didn't have that 'more' Harry Potter mentioned earlier. Sometimes she wished she had been more ambitious - she would have a higher income and more comfortable life, but she was contented with a simple life in a simple home.

She didn't need luxurious things, like what Astoria Malfoy possessed, or be as famous as Ginny Potter in the world of sports.

She was fine. She was satisfied. She was happy.

When she arrived home, her children were surprised and happy. When she told them she wasn't well, Rosie prepared a meal for her, and Hugo brought her healing potions.

When she told them that she didn't want to sleep - because she didn't feel like doing so - and wanted to watch a good movie, her children joined her on the bed and played a family comedy movie on Rosie's laptop. She was sandwiched between Rose and Hugo, both children clung to her.

In the evening, Rosie and Hugo prepared their dinner and asked her to stay on the bed. She did, and she was resting when her husband found her.

The moment he sat on the bed to check on her, she warded the door and pulled him down to kiss him passionately. She managed to straddle him, to position herself above him. Cedric looked surprised but extremely delighted, especially when she kissed him everywhere - yes, even down there. She took the time to remove their clothes - she didn't allow him to do anything; he just watched her happily - and kissed him again, their tongues battling. Her one hand reached for and stroked his erection, much to his delight, but not for long, because she wanted to feel him inside her, so she rode her husband.

Hermione's husband was a strong wizard - both physically and emotionally. She, on the other hand, could be vulnerable, emotional, and above all, she was a midget. But what people didn't know - even their best friends of almost three decades - was that Hermione always liked being on top. She always wanted to have two orgasms first before her husband could come.

So, this time, she rode him, like always, as Ced watched her, feeling aroused as well. She screamed as she reached the first and second completion and kissed his neck when she was done.

"I love you," she whispered, like always.

"I love you most," he said lovingly, like always. "You're so beautiful when you come."

Hermione smiled and allowed Ced to roll them so he could reach his completion as well.