Here y'all...

Chapter 16

Walking into the antechamber caused a stir among the three champions. They stood and turned to her, Cedric frowned at the sight of Hermione.

"Do zhey need us?" Fleur asked.

"No." Hermione sat on one of the chairs calmly, if a bit stiffly. She had the sudden urge to count how long it took for Dumbledore to storm into the room.

She didn't get past the count of five when the door burst open, Dumbledore storming down the stairs his beard seemingly shaking in his anger. Behind him followed the other school heads, the minister, and Severus. She stood in the face of Dumbledore's anger as he advanced on her eyes flashing menacingly.

"Did you put your name in the Goblet, Ms. Granger!?" She looked up at him with a bit of defiance.

"No, sir." The lie was easy and went undetected even as Dumbledore attempted to glean any falsehood through Legilmancy.

"Did you ask one of the older students to do it for you?"

"No, sir."

"You're absolutely sure?"

"Yes, sir."

"May I see your wand, then?" Dumbledore held out his hand.

Hermione drew her wand out and placed it in the headmaster's hand. "I do not expect you'll find a spell powerful enough to cross the age line or confound the Goblet of Fire. Even if I had done anything to the cup I would not have used my own wand."

Dumbledore hesitated for a moment but cast Priori Incantatum anyway. The ghostly image of a repairing charm formed from the tip of her wand before being dispelled quietly. Throughout this the other heads of the schools were spouting their anger in increasing volume, their accents becoming thicker as they raged at Dumbledore.

Finally the minister advanced to the heads as Severus moved to Hermione's side. "There is nothing that can be done; the Goblet has chosen the Champions."

Severus spoke then. "The Goblet of fire is an exceptionally powerful magical object, only an exceptionally powerful spell could have hoodwinked it. Magic that is far beyond the talents of a fourth year, even one as resourceful as our Ms. Granger. The minister is right, Headmaster, Ms. Granger must go through with the tournament. She is magically bound to do it; she will simply have to do her best."

The heads all frowned, finally giving their accent to the event.


Later that evening in the headmaster's office Dumbledore stood over his pensieve, behind him stood Minerva and Severus.

"Albus, you can not seriously allow the girl to compete." Minerva crossed her arms and gave a huff as Dumbledore turned away from the pensieve.

"What would you have me do? It is a magically binding contract, nothing can break it." Albus turned to Severus. "There are greater things at work here than just the girls position as champion. Has Voldemort made any mention of the tournament?"

"Only in passing, there is nothing that involves the tournament." Severus moved away from the wall he had situated himself by.

Minerva let a defeated sigh escape her lips. "I do not understand why you do not worry about Ms. Granger more."

Severus smirked at the Gryffindor Head of House. "She is resourceful. She can run circles around your precious Gryffindors-the girl has power and the knowledge to use it."

Dumbledore's face darkened. "But not the power to confound the Goblet?"

Severus nodded. "She would not risk herself in this tournament. The girl is smart, not suicidal."


There was little to do now, but wait for the actual tournament to begin so Hermione began to study the spells she could find or acquire from the Manor through owl correspondence.

It was not unusual to find her head stuck in an ancient looking book. Harry found her often in the library or the Slytherin common room. She busied herself with the preparations for the tournament reading up on anything related to it she could find, especially the nature of the tasks which seemed to have some criteria.

The day of the wand weighing came and went with the unexpected arrival of a Daily Prophet writer by the name of Rita Skeeter. The woman annoyed the champions and officials to no end and when she left there was a sense of relief that permeated the room.


Draco went about the days before the first task was scheduled in a bit of a daze. He felt he had been pushed to the side by both Harry and Hermione. He knew that Hermione wished for no help in preparing for the tournament, cheating may be an essential part of the tournament-at least unofficially so-but she would have none of it.

It was scant days after the wand weighing that orders from Tom and his father came that he was not to help Hermione, finally gave him no reason to bother her on the subject. He let himself only worry for her sanity now, and make sure she stopped studying to keep up her role as the leader of the Slytherins. As a champion, and an unexpected one at that, she had gained the respect of the older years, but had also earned their contempt.

This tournament would prove to them that she was worthy of their respect and fealty.

Draco found himself in a corridor leading to the Entrance Hall, he had finished classes for the day and was tired, not that his face showed any hint of weakness. He was going to catch a nap before heading to dinner.

In the Entrance Hall he ran into Harry. Literally.

"Draco!" Harry yelped as he fell to the ground only to be held up by the blond.

"Harry."

They stood silent for a moment. Neither had actively avoided the other since Halloween, but had not sought the others presence either. Draco hadn't wanted to incite a fight between them and knew that if he was around Harry he would begin to insult Cedric. He couldn't get around the fact that Harry was hanging around the other champion as much as he was and that he was involved with the older boy.

The silence was becoming uncomfortable when Harry finally spoke. "Tomorrow, do you want to go to Hogsmead with me?" It was said quickly and a blush stole over his face as he said it.

Draco blinked. He wanted to say something about Harry not going with Cedric, but refrained from doing so as he knew that it might harm their relationship even more. He decided the simplest answer would be best. "Alright."

"You don't have to, I mean, I know that I haven't been the best friend lately, but-"

"Harry, I said I would go."

There was a moment of silence before Harry grinned raising a hand to the back of his head and laughing. "You did, didn't you. Well, I'll see you tomorrow, I have to go finish that Herbology project."

Draco watched the boy run up the stairs and turn the corridor. He shook his head and headed into the dungeons, feeling a bit lighter.

Hermione looked up from her book as Draco entered the common room, she noticed that he seemed to be happier and knew that Harry had taken the initiative needed to get their friendship out of the slump it had been in. At least there was one less thing to worry about before the task on Tuesday. She was feeling the barest hints of nervousness and knew that Harry was trying to hold himself back from helping her.

Draco sat next to her and leaned over to see the book she was reading. On the table beside her she had a list of tasks narrowed down to what each usually consisted of and what creatures she could expect to face. She was hopeful that they wouldn't choose the dragons, there were only so many ways to subdue a dragon and most needed at least half-a-dozen people to perform.

"Have you decided what spells to focus on for the first task?"

She jotted more notes down before setting the book to the side and relaxing into the couch. "I know that there will be a test of magical strength and creativity. Usually it's some type of creature, rarely dragons; usually it's something that can be safely contained in an arena. We will have to pass the creature before obtaining the information we need to prepare for the next task." She drew out her wand and flicked it so that a magical rope whipped out and cracked in the air. "Ancient spells seem to be the best way to make my way through the tasks easily."

"Good luck." He stood and headed towards the stairs, he would definitely have that nap.


The expedition into Hogsmeade went well. Harry and Draco had a time of getting through the throngs of people to get into the slightly more high class places that suited the tastes of the Malfoy heir. Harry enjoyed their time together as they hadn't really been given time alone during the summer.

Harry caught sight of Hagrid at one point and determined to make nice with the half-giant. Draco had ignored them, taking an interest in the drink cooling in his hands. Hagrid took Harry to the side for a moment, but soon returned the bespectacled boy.


The forbidden forest was ominous itself during the day, not to mention in the dead of night with the moon waning over head. Harry would rarely venture into the forest without good reason and never alone. He had come here for potion ingredients at times, knowing that the forest hosted some rare plants and animals. That night however, he was there on request from Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and he shared a love for magical creatures big and small, though mostly big.

He had taken Harry aside, telling him that he had a treat for him.

Harry had agreed to the outing, though something in him warned against trekking through the forest.

He stopped at the sound of a roar, loud and powerful. A dragon, if he wasn't mistaken. He felt his pulse quicken, a real live dragon, a creature that was so majestic and powerful that it had been revered by ancient wizards. Harry respected the people who took care of the beings immensely and had entertained dreams of having a dragon of his own before coming to Hogwarts.

Even the shock of seeing Madam Maxime and Karkoroff couldn't overcome his excitement at seeing the dragon.

Dragons. He corrected upon seeing the four cages. The dragons were restless in their cage and of the four, the Hungarian Horntail was the most violent. There was the sudden epiphany that the dragons were here for one purpose and that was the tournament. Harry suddenly feared for Cedric's life. The Hufflepuff was clever, but not the strongest magically, he wouldn't last very long if he didn't know about the dragon.

Hermione he wasn't worried about, she was the smartest witch of their generation after all, but he still wanted to tell her about the dragons.


It was nearing midnight and most sane people were already in bed asleep or trying to sleep. Hermione sat in the common room though, going over the spells she had chosen for a final time before the task. She leaned back in the chair gazing into the flames that twisted in the hearth, breathing slowly and letting a calm settle over her.

As her thoughts drifted though the entrance to the common room opened and she looked over to it wondering what person was reckless enough to come back at this time.

"Hermione! I know what the first task is!" Harry's voice seemed to boom in the quiet of the common room.

With a stern look set on her face she stood and walked over to him, he was silent, knowing that he had at least annoyed her.

"What do you think you're doing?!" She hissed.

Harry gained a sheepish look in wake of her ire. "I just wanted to warn you about the-"

"NO." She bit out, "I will not accept any help, this is my task—whatever they send to test me I will prevail. Without your help."

"Hermione…" Harry attempted to speak, but held his tongue as another glare was sent his way.

Hermione took a deep breath, she knew it was in Harry's nature to help, but she had to make him understand that she wasn't allowed to receive any help. "Harry, Tom set me this task in order to prove my worth as his heir. He would not be pleased if I were to accept any information, even from you and Draco—no especially from you and Draco. You understand?"

He nodded, biting his lip. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I just wanted to help, the other champions will know-" he glanced to the side at her piercing gaze, no doubt that she was thinking that he had already told Cedric. "I haven't told Cedric…"

Hermione smirked. "Tell him." Harry glanced up in surprise, looking at her for explanation. "Tell him. Then when I complete this task, I will know for sure that I am simply stronger." Harry nodded and looked at the floor. Hermione's face softened and she brushed her hand against his cheek. He looked at her in surprise.

Hermione spoke, "I know you are worried Harry, but do you trust me?" Harry's eyes widened and he nodded quickly. Hermione smiled, "Good, then trust in my abilities Harry, Tom did not choose me for nothing, if I am the only one going into this blind then so be it, it will only better illustrate my gifts. Now get to bed, I want you rested so you can cheer well for me."

He grinned and exited the common room.

With Hermione's blessing, or it could be seen as an order, he had to visit Cedric before going to bed and detoured to the Hufflepuff area. He made it there easily, long having learned the best way there while avoiding the teacher's rounds. Entering was easy, Cedric having given him the password earlier, he eventually made it to the boy's dorms and entered, he had to feel a bit disappointed at how easy it was to get into the rooms, Hufflepuffs were so trusting.

He made his way to Cedric's bunk and prodded him awake, sleep filled eyes gazed unseeingly, before focusing on him.

"Harry?" Cedric whispered, confusion filling his voice. "What are you doing here?"

Harry made himself comfortable on the bed. "Dragons, that's the task." He was sure by now that Fleur and Krum had been informed. Hermione had told him not to worry and he forced himself not to.

Sleep now escaped the Hufflepuff's eyes, "Are you serious?" At Harry's nod his face became pensive and Harry wondered if maybe telling the boy was not such a good idea. "Alright… thanks Harry, I'm glad I can count on you."

Harry grinned and hugged the older boy. "Just don't get killed."

Cedric gave a light chuckle, placing a kiss on top of Harry's head. "I'm not weak Harry and I'm pretty sure that I can come up with some way to deal with a dragon."

Harry just smiled and pulled away.

"Get some rest." That was all he said as he left.

R&R