Following Hermione and Freds conversation after the party, Hermione had near completely accepted the bizzare memories that she recollected that day and in all senses of the word, she was completely fine… Maybe even better than, actually. While classes had been going on, everyone was a lot happier with the presence of the foreign students and the anticipation for the name drawing, that was to be done that very evening. While Hermione didn't allow these distractions get to her in class, her, Ron and Harry had been having a blast. They'd completely moved on from previous conflict and were back to being their normal selves, excluding the usual problems that would arise in their lives. It wasn't quite cold yet, but the weather was getting increasingly chilly and day by day the walks through the courtyards from class to class got quicker and quicker.
The trio arrived to Defence Against the Dark Arts and took their seats. Out of all their classes, this was Hermiones least favourite. While she loved learning defensive magic, Professor Moody often left her feeling uneasy- especially after their first class where he practiced illegal spells on a spider. Everything about him seemed evil, though she wondered if this may have had to do with their poor luck with teachers over the years.
"I miss Professor Lupin," Hermione mumbled to herself as their classmates entered.
"Shame he had to leave. I mean I know he was a monster, but he wasn't a bad one," Ron said.
"He wasn't a monster at all… Just different. I miss him too," Harry said grimly. Harry missed Lupin the most, just as he missed Sirius. Hermione tried to understand, but knew she never would. She couldn't imagine losing her parents, let alone what it'd be like growing up without them.
"Moody's not that bad though," Ron beamed, hoping to liven the conversation. "Sure he's absolutely bonkers and maybe a bit cruel, but at least he isn't an egotistical sod." he was referring to Lockhart, who Ron probably hated more than Voldemort himself. The other two chimed in agreement before quietly shutting up as the teacher entered, shouting commands before scribbling on the board.
The three quietly moved to the page they'd be studying and began the class. Moody was in a particular mood and told the class that they'd be finishing as soon as the segment of discussion was over. He appeared especially unhinged, but it wasn't like anyone was game to ask him. Instead they sat quiety, quickly copying notes from the board as he spoke about certain counter curses that could be used to rid of hexes. Hermione, unlike many of the others, was quite skilled at writing without looking, and so mainly watched moody and the notes he wrote on the board. The class was now in at only five minutes, and as Hermione watched the notes being written, could have sworn that a patch of the teachers hair had been changed colours. Feeling discomfort from this, she quickly moved her eyes to her page to go back to normal writing style. Within another ten minutes, the class was over and Moody had gone just as quickly as he arrived, telling them to study the entire segment for a test that would occur their next class.
"Well that was weird," Harry said in the now loud and partially empty classroom.
"You're telling me. I swear that man shouldn't be a teacher," Ron mentioned, trying to figure out what their teacher had writtenon the board
"Just copy mine, his handwriting is impossible," Hermione said, handing her parchment to her friend. "Anyways, I'm not sure if you two noticed, but I could of sworn his hair was changing colour as he wrote."
Ron and Harry looked up from Hermiones paper to look at her face. "What like polyjuice?" Harry asked.
"Well no I'm not saying that- that makes no sense. I'm just saying it was weird… Probably seeing things."
"Wouldn't be surprised if Fred and George slipped him something. Though I heard he can see everything thats going around him with that eye he's got," Ron said while furiously writing so he could leave.
"Maybe its the magical eye changing his hair based on the weather," Harry joked. The two quickly finished taking their notes and began packing up to leave. "We've got another half hour before we've got to go to Charms, what do you want to do?"
"I dunno, but we may as well drop Hermione at the library while we figure it out," Ron joked to which Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Well it'd probably be best if we all studied for this test we're apparently getting on counter curses, but the library is far from Charms class, so hows about we just go to the hall instead," Hermione suggested, to which the group agreed.
The day went by and soon enough the evening had arrived. The three hurried back into the Great Hall after their last class, where many of the students had already congregated. After another few minutes, all the students of Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbaton were ready for the names of the champions to be drawn from the Goblet. Hermione's palms felt quite sweaty, as if she somehow knew something bad was going to happen, but put on a smile amongst her peers. After a few short words by Dumbledore, the headmaster walked to the grand goblet as the crowd watched a piece of paper land into the mans hands.
Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour were the first two champions, and now was time for Hogwarts. The students all seemed to be holding their breath. While everyone secretly wished for a house representative of their own to be accepted, Hermione silently and selfishly chanted 'anyone but Fred' to herself. Dumbledore accepted the floating paper and unravelled it, everybody dying of anticipation.
"Fred Weasely!" the headmaster announced. Hermione's heart dropped and she looked down the long grand table to see Fred and George both stand defiantly before hugging one another tightly. He then continued to hug and shake hands with his friends before running up to Dumbledore to stand with the other champions. Hermione's heart felt heavy, only to be stopped once more by the sight of the goblet producing one last piece of paper. The schools broke out in chatter before being silenced once more by Dumbledore, whose face seemed somehow pale by the surprise.
"It seems we have a fourth champion... Harry Potter."