"Wake up, Hermione." said Ginny, gently shaking Hermione awake. "The game's today."

Everyone had gotten up early and grabbed some quick breakfast before heading out towards the Diggory's tent. When they finally got there, the Diggorys were already standing outside. Cedric smirked at them as they got closer. Obviously the look was pre-game excitement; Hermione knew this because it was the same look all the Weasley's and Harry had been expressing all morning.

"Hullo." he smiled, looking as if he was addressing everyone but his eyes rested on Hermione. Hermione was embarrassed for some reason so she just looked away as if she hadn't seen it and continued on, muttering a faint hi.

The group walked up towards the pitch. It was really crowed when they reached the entrance to the steps. Cedric reached down and grabbed Hermione's hand. She looked up at him with bug eyes. But, he was looking towards the crowd, getting ready to fight through it.

He must have felt her stare because he looked down at her. "What," he obliviously said. Hermione must have had shock written all over her face because Cedric hurried to explain."I don't want you to get lost." Cedric must have realized what the gesture implied and felt embarrassed and guilty about it because he dropped Hermione's hand immediately and muttered "Sorry." This made Hermione want to inwardly hit herself. Cedric Diggory...Like Hermione Granger? That's a laugh.

They all fought their way through the packed crowd. Once they reached the stands they started their climb all the way to the top where their seats were. They were about halfway up when Hermione heard a faint groan coming from behind her. She spun around to find Luscious Malfoy's serpent cane digging into Harry's back. She let out a tiny shrieked at the sight of the metal snake's teeth cutting her best friend's back.

"Mr. Potter." He grinned evilly. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Let him go," exclaimed Hermione without thinking, acting on her gut which she normally didn't do.

Mr. Malfoy released his gaze from Harry to glance over at Hermione, giving her a disgusted look. Then he turned back to Harry as if Hermione didn't even exist.

"Mr. Potter, where will you be sitting?" He asked with disinterest. If it was anyone else it would've been a casual question. But coming from Luscious Malfoy it was pure evil, everything was.

"We've been asked to sit in the Minister's box." interrupted Draco Malfoy smugly. Everyone turned to him seeming to only just recognize his presence.

Luscious turned toward his son. "Don't gloat." He said smugly. Obviously he actually loved that Draco had gloated.

His father reprimanding him didn't wipe the smirk off of Draco's disgusting face. Hermione pressed down a tremendous urge to go over and smack that grin right of his ferret face just like she had the year before.

"Oh, do enjoy yourselves." Mr. Malfoy called after the group as they tried to sneak away. "While you can." That last part left an empty feeling in the pit of Hermione's stomach. Whatever he could have possibly meant by that wasn't good.

When they finally reached the top of the stands the bitter cold of the night hit them like a tsunami. It was freezing. Hermione shivered under her light coat. No one had told her it would be this cold. She certainly hadn't expected that it was going to be like winter up there.

"Hermione, you're shivering." Cedric said with and edge of surprise. "Here. Please take my coat." He took off his coat and held it out to her for her to take, somehow making the offer more official. Hermione felt awkward taking his coat. She was cold, but that seemed like such a couple thing to do. Although, on the other hand she didn't want to offend him.

"No thanks." She replied, trying to control her teeth chattering. "It's not that bad."

Cedric stared at her with a look of complete thought on his face. Then he slipped his jacket back on. She felt so guilty about it and had to look away from him. But, as soon as she looked away, it suddenly became overwhelmingly warm because Cedric had stood behind Hermione, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"What are you doing?" Hermione asked in complete and utter shock.

"You were cold." He smiled. If he was hesitant before now he was smug.

"O." Was all Hermione could manage. She really didn't know how to respond to that at all. And she didn't know why he was making their relationship so confusing. Why now? Why all of the sudden? But, what she did know was that she wasn't moving from that spot or resisting his embrace.

"What?" he asked brows furrowing. Hermione was obviously showing distress on her face.

"Nothing, just really cold." Hermione lied. In response Cedric hugged her tighter.

Then game began. The game started off with each team, in turn, performing a short little show. The Irish made a point of showing off, similarly to the twins, using fireworks in the shape of leprechauns that danced in brilliant colors. For the Bulgarians show they had a whole lot of girls come out onto the field. Hermione assumed they were some sort of cheerleaders and immediately lost interest. Cheerleading was disgusting in her opinion. She didn't like it in the muggle world and she wouldn't like it here. Hermione felt girls should not cheer for guys in such a degrading way and with such a loss of self-respect.

As Hermione observed the girls on the field at first she felt disgust then she felt curiosity. The girls on the field were all pale skinned and had an unordinary beauty. It appeared that they all had blue eyes and blonde hair also. They all looked way too alike for it to be coincidence.

Hermione's thoughts were interrupted by Cedric stepping back from her and pulling something out of his pocket. Ear plugs? Like the kind older muggles wear to avoid listening to their children's loud music or other situations like that.

"What are you...?" Hermione looked at him in confusion.

But Cedric didn't have a chance to respond because Mr. Diggory started talking. "Careful now lads." laughed Mr. Diggory. "Those are Veela."

"What's a Veela?" Hermione asked, not liking the fact that she didn't know something. But she was curious enough to push those feelings to the back of her brain.

"They're creatures that look like girls but when they dance they put men in a sort of trance." Cedric replied emotionless.

"Like water nymphs or Sirens?" Hermione said more to herself than anyone else. She was starting to understand, she always caught on fast.

"Exactly." He replied smiling. But the smile looked more like it was strained. At that moment Hermione looked over and saw Harry standing on the railing about to jump and Ron shredding his Irish hat apart.

"Harry." Hermione cried running over and shoving him back into his seat. Then she pulled the hat from Ron's hands and threw it out in the trash. Once Hermione was sure her best friends were under control she calmed down. Ginny forced her away to go stand with Cedric, saying she could take the boys from there. Hermione reluctantly walked back over to Cedric. She was nervous to leave Harry and Ron.

As they continued to watch the match Cedric explained everything to Hermione with undying patience. Hermione listened attentively and learned a lot about this brutal sport that she hates so much. And the brutality was clearly displayed in the match numerous times. Krum was hit straight on by a bludger and immediately following the blow he started bleeding profusely from his nose. But he kept on playing, and thankfully so because he caught the snitch. At that point they would've still lost either way. But, by catching the snitch, Krum redeamed his team a bit. Regardless, Ireland ended up winning because they had already racked up enough points.

"Come on back to our tent, lads." offered Mr. Weasley to Amos and Cedric. "We'll have a party for the good old Irish."

"I suppose we could stay a while." smiled Mr. Diggory.

Writer's Notes:

Hope you liked that chapter. Please review I love em! Sorry for the wait on this chapter.