Racing with the Enemy
Official disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series or The Amazing Race.
A/N: The Amazing Race is used merely as a plot; any of the rules from the program are subjected to change by the authoress (me).
Chapter Three – The Argument
The 15 minutes were soon up, and the parchments were once again summoned up to the podium.
Professor McGonagall stood up and began talking. "Thank you for voting. By the way, to ensure no-one wrote a fraud name on the sheet, there was a charm placed on it. If anyone was not truthful, a punishment will follow."
"The results will be announced tomorrow morning during breakfast, and a sheet will be posted on your Common Room notice board by lunch," Dumbledore announced, before he dismissed everyone.
With that, the students stood up, and began moving towards the only exit.
Back in the Gryffindor Common Room, the Seventh Years chattered among themselves, asking each other who had wanted to go on the race, and who they voted on.
They retired to bed late, and many could not sleep, as they were excited with the race.
0o0o0o
"I am positive most of you are anxious to know who the competitors are," Dumbledore said, the next morning during breakfast. "But first, I want to say that the voting was very close, and those who are not participating missed out very narrowly. Before the participants are announced, Professor McGonagall has something to say."
The Professor stood up. "I am very disappointed to say that there was indeed someone cheating during the voting. I shall not disclose the person's name, as it will be embarrassing, but I'm sure he or she will learn his or her lesson."
"On to a brighter note – the contestants will be announced now."
Professor McGonagall summoned a parchment into her hands, and placed her reading glasses on her nose.
"The students competing in the race are as follows:
Hannah Abbott
Susan Bones
Lavender Brown
Millicent Bulstrode
Justin Finch-Fletchley
Seamus Finnigan
Hermione Granger
Neville Longbottom
Ernie Macmillan
Draco Malfoy
Pansy Parkinson
Padma Patil
Parvati Patil
Harry Potter
Zacharias Smith
Dean Thomas
Ron Weasley
Blaise Zabini
These students are asked to come to the Great Hall after dinner tonight."
0o0o0o
The day dragged by, but finally, it was dinner time. Hermione, Ron, and Harry were joined by Ginny, as they sat down.
"You know, I feel sorry for Eloise and Terry," commented Hermione, "They were really looking forward to this race, and they didn't get in. I was just talking to Eloise yesterday, and she was saying how she really wanted to participate, and prove to everyone that she is capable."
Ron rolled his eyes at this. "Did you see what she wrote on the voting sheet? It was so desperate."
"That was the most horrible thing I have ever heard you say Ronald Weasley!" Hermione shouted, appalled. "I can't believe it. I'm almost embarrassed at being called your friend."
Almost as soon as she said that, Hermione regretted it. Her eyes widened in shock and a barely audible 'I'm sorry' escaped from her mouth.
But Ron wasn't listening. He was just staring at her, frozen in his seat. "You finally admitted it, huh?" he whispered.
"NO!! Ron, I didn't mean that, truly I didn't." Hermione was babbling.
"Forget it." With that, he left the Hall.
Hermione's eyes were shining with tears. "Harry, you believe me don't you? I really didn't mean that. I don't even know where it came from."
Harry felt helpless. He wanted to comfort Hermione, but if he did that, he felt like he was betraying Ron. "I don't know Hermione," he finally said.
She just nodded. She couldn't even remember why she had said that to Ron.
Ginny motioned to Harry for him to go and comfort Ron, while she stayed with Hermione. He nodded, and left.
"Hermione?" the girl said softly, "You okay?"
Hermione turned her head towards Ginny. Her face was blotchy from crying, and tears were streaming down from her puffy eyes. "I feel terrible."
"Don't worry, Hermione, I'm sure Ron will get over it soon."
"No, I don't think so. What I said was really horrid, and even if he does forgive me, I don't think I ever will."
0o0o0o
"Come on mate, cheer up." Harry was uncomfortable. He wasn't good with the comforting thing; Hermione was usually the one who did this. But since this was between Ron and her, she could not very well do it.
"Ron, you know she didn't mean it. She only said it because she was annoyed at you for talking about Eloise like that. Remember back in Fourth Year how you were saying her nose was off centre, so you would never date her? Hermione blew up on you as well, but you guys made up in the end."
Silence settled between the two friends.
"Mate, say something, you're scaring me."
Ron spoke up. "I was just thinking about what you said. I'm just wondering if there is any reason to be angry at her though, when I said horrible things about her back in First Year, before we became friends."
Harry felt relieved. At least Ron was thinking rationally.
"So let's go down now, before Dumbledore tells us who we are going to be paired with."
Ron shook his head. "Nah, I think I'll stay up here. Think, over what happened, you know?"
Harry nodded. "Alright. I'll tell you who you're with then, when I come back up."
With that, he left the dormitory and headed back down to the Great Hall.
0o0o0o
"How's Ron?" Ginny asked as soon as Harry sat down.
"He's good. How's Hermione?" he asked, glancing at her huddled formed.
"Not too bad." Ginny sighed. "I have to go now, only you guys are allowed to stay behind."
"See you later then."
Ginny leaned over to hug Hermione, but received no reaction.
Most of the school left the Hall, leaving the chosen Seventh Years remaining.
Professor McGonagall stood up. "Most of you are excited to know who your partners are going to be for the race. I shall not leave you in the dark any longer. The pairs for the race are as follows."
TBC…
A/N2: Hey people!! Thanks for all the reviews, I really enjoyed reading them. I'm glad I made you laugh with the reasons; it took me awhile to think up some of them. I've gone back and fixed the errors you pointed out; I can't believe I spelt 'Weasley' wrong!
By the way, I'll be going away for camp soon, so updates won't be for awhile. Plus, I have major exams coming up, and I kind of need to start studying… :( I know I left you with a cliffy, but I want to keep you guys coming back for more. D