Hey guys! I am soo sorry for the super long delay but I was on vacation and I didn't have LibreOffice on my laptop and I couldn't download it (The internet was sh** in Kansas!) so I just started writing it Thursday morning. I hope the longness of this chapter appeals to you because I feel it is CRAZY!

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The Goblet of Fire

~Part Two~

POV: Hermione Granger

"Tha's right! Dragons."

I stepped back some steps; I could feel the heat of the flames from the beasts. I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Hagrid? I'm going to go to bed now..I can't believe it." I started to walk away. "Dragons! Who would have guessed?"

He put a hand on my shoulder to stop me.

"Hermione, be careful. And remember- you can use ani'thin except yer wand." With that, he let me go and I ran back into the castle.

The next morning, I woke up slowly. Ginny was hurrying me because today'd be the first challenge.

Dragons. They think we can handle dragons! Oh, wait. Cedric, Fleur and Viktor might be able to, but they're 17! I sighed. My age, apparently didn't stop anything.

After Potions, I stepped through a group of sneering people, all equipped with badges that bashed me while praising Cedric. Speak of the devil... I thought as I headed over to where he was hanging out with some Hufflepuffs.

"Hey- Granger! Sorry about the badges, they weren't my ide-" I stopped him.

"Can we talk?" My eyes flickered to his friends behind him. "Privately?" he waved off the group and followed me behind a large bush 5 feet away. "What is it?"

I sucked in a deep breath and stared him right in the eye.

"Dragons. That's the first task." His lips parted slightly and his brows furrowed. Then, realization dawned in his mind. "You're kidding!" he exclaimed.

Shaking my head slowly, I responded, "Not at all. Hagrid showed me last night." I shuddered. "They're full grown, too." I smiled sadly and walked away, leaving him there to think about it.

In the tent, thirty-five minutes before we were to go out and face the dragons, I sat on a bench facing the opening.

"Psst! Hermione!" I heard a voice whisper behind me. "What...?" Timidly, I stood up.

"How..how are you doing? Are you scared?" It was obvious the person was male.

"Um, that's kind of obvious. Who are you?" the person sighed. "Hey- don't be. You've gotten this far."

I stepped back more. Malfoy! I growled softly. "Draco, I'm not sure what you want, but stay AWAY from me! I don't care what you think of me, how you feel about me- or anything!"

I heard a sharp intake of breath and a swallow. He flung open the drapery and stepped inside, his face hard. "Well, that's too bad. Because, no matter what, neither of us can get away from the fact that I do, in fact, love you. And I'll be damned if I let anything...happen..to..." he swallowed again and closed his eyes.

"Just...think it over some more. Please." I could tell when he opened his eyes that he was fighting back the urge to cry. "Be careful. And..." Draco turned. "I'm sorry...For how I feel." He exited the tent. Part of me wanted to forget all about him, and part of me wanted – so badly – to reach out to him. Likewise, that part of me wanted to love him back. But that would not happen.

Igor Kakaroff, Cornelius Fudge and Dumbledore entered the tent. Cedric, Fleur and Viktor came in from the other rooms. Fudge held a small, purple leather bag in his hand and told us to huddle around. When we did, he explained that in the bag were several baby dragons. The dragon that we pulled out would be the same one we were to battle soon.

"Of course," he smiled, "that one will be much bigger."

Fleur went first. I'm not quite sure which kind she picked out, for my thoughts were elsewhere.

"Hermione! It's your turn." Cedric nudged me.

I slowly stuck my hand into the bag. I wrapped my hand around something small and scaly. Pulling it out, I slightly jumped; it had bitten me!

I looked in my palm. A tiny thing with spikes on his tail stared up at me and coughed out a puff of smoke. "Ah- a Hungarian Horn Tail. Quite interesting little things!"

Thirty minutes later, we all stood in the entrance of the tent. Filch sounded the first bell and Cedric was out.

Over the next five minutes, we all exited till it was just me. I sort of expected Malfoy to come poking his nosy little head in again. But when my name was called, I didn't worry about it. Making sure I had my wand, I exited out into the stadium.

Scanning the stands, I quickly spotted Harry, Ron and Ruby. Ruby was sitting there pouting.

Suddenly, a large beast hopped heavily onto a rock, and shot fire in my direction. I dove, screaming, behind a rock piling, and remembered what Hagrid had told me. "Accio Firebolt!"

A minute of running, dodging and a few Expelliarmus charms later, my broom landed beside me. I mounted it and flew around the dragon, where I spotted a golden egg. The dragon saw me notice it, and blocked the path. I tried flying around the great beast, but its restraint chains broke. So I was forced to fly through the stands to escape it. He of course followed me.

I was approaching a tower, and fast. I hit the railing and flipped over, managing to grab onto the metal bars. My broom fell down just above me, out of my reach.

Cursing out loud, I started inching toward it. The dragon landed on the left side of the tower next to me, and started quickly making his way toward me.

I managed to touch the end of it, but it fell. So did I.

But, miraculously I grabbed onto it and flew around toward the stadium area before the beast could detach from the tower.

Somehow I got their before the dragon and I grabbed the egg. Everyone cheered.

That night, I was lifted into the air by a group of people. Someone suggested I open the egg. "You want me to open it?" I repeated. They cheered in response.

So, once they sat me on the floor, I pressed the button on the top of the thing. It opened slowly and let out a horrible, ear-piercing shriek. I dropped it, causing it to close.

Ruby walked in. "What the bloody hell is going on here!" She growled. We all stared at her. "Ruby, hey, hi-" She stopped me.

"Congrats on the task." Pushing past me, she didn't smile like usual.

That night, I had trouble falling asleep. So, I set out fully equipped with my cloak. I wander around for about thirty minutes till I sit down on the cold marble floor, pulling the cloak into my lap. I fiddled with the hem for a while, mulling some things over.

I should be worried about the second task. It's the day after tomorrow. I pondered who could've put my name into the Goblet. Maybe it was a teacher? Nah. I stopped thinking about it.

I don't get it. Why me? There isn't anything special about me. I have brown hair, brown eyes, pale skin and freckles. That's so common... So what if I excel in all classes? There is no reason why he has to love ME and not some snobby Slytherin girl. I was getting angrier and angrier. I felt something in the pocket of the cloak, and reached in. It felt papery, so I pulled it out and unfolded the parchment.

Hermione-

I know you will most likely burn this letter-

I closed my eyes. I know I'd put the letter in my bedside table. How in the world did it get in here?

I heard footsteps. They were soft, yet I knew they were close.

Instead of turning my head, I simply started to stand up, ever so slowly...

"Hermione."

I clenched my teeth. Why again? I'd had enough of Malfoy to last the rest of the year. He came closer. "Draco, if you co-"

"LISTEN TO ME!" Draco stood right in front of me, causing me to back against the wall. Force of habit.

"I know you don't want to believe it, and trust me- I don't want to either. But...I can't just ignore it. I love you, all right? Please, don't run away from it like you always do. I want this to work out. I want this, to not haunt me for the rest of my bloody life.

"I want you to feel the same way."

Now, if I survive the TriWizard Tournament, I am going to reflect back on this moment and punch myself.

But, instead of denying everything like I should have done, I blurted out, "Draco Lucius Malfoy, the only reason I have been avoiding this subject is because..because...well, because I feel the same way you do!" It took a few seconds for it to sink in. For both of us.

It dawned on me that I had said how part of me felt. I mentally punched myself a million times.

He leaned closer, laying his hands on the wall on each side of my head. "This is...crazy. Unbelievable. Impossible." He shook his head.

"I agree." Grabbing his hand to move it, I made a little hmph sound. "Wait. Look at me." I turned back to him. "I've been waiting for this, since it dawned on me these feelings. This is rather cliché, but would you like to go to the Yule Ball...with me?" He smiled sheepishly. I giggled.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! Hermione, what in God's name are you DOING! I yelled at myself.

"Well, it would be nice..Yes, yes I would." He smiled wider, prouder. I saw...something different. Instead of the cold glare, piercing your soul, I saw a warm, welcoming look from his eyes.

What happened next, I had no control over. He leaned a little bit closer...and I grabbed his collar, bringing our lips together.

I am not one for mushy-ness, so you can imagine what happened. (A/N I'm just afraid it'll turn into a sexy scene which would probably get me sued.)

I don't remember going back to my dorm, but I woke up in my bed. The girls (including Ruby, who had apparently forgiven me) were standing over me, looking worried.

"What's up?" I wondered to nobody in particular.

Ginny sighed and closed her eyes in thought. When she finished thinking, she looked at me seriously. "Hermione, what were you doing in the hallway?" My eyes widened.

"I was in the hallway!" Sitting up, I tried remembering what had happened after the kiss. Oh, right. I fainted. "Dude-" I grabbed Ruby and Ginny's arms. "I need to be down at breakfast. NOW!" I hurriedly dressed and rushed down. Sure enough, Draco was sitting where he always does. I ran over to him and pulled on his shirt to make him follow me.

I told him to hold his questions. Crabbe and Goyle looked confused as I dragged Malfoy over to a seat nobody was at. I was breathing hard. "Okay, here's the thing. Last night was...crazy. Filled with things that would have never happened had I not been on the verge of sleep. And, I'm not quite sure what exactly went down, but I have to do something and it involves you."

He raised an eyebrow. I was in hysterics.

"What I MEAN is – I can't ...I shouldn't.." Gulping, I tired to find the words to say.

"I think you're trying to tell me you won't be able to tell anyone that you..."
"...kissed you? Yeah. Something like that. They'll skin me alive. Or, at least, the ones in Gryffindor will."

He smiled. Did he think this was funny?

"Oi, Granger! C'mere!" I sighed and murmured a goodbye to Draco. I followed Cedric out to the bridge connecting the school to the Forbidden Forest.

"So.."

"So?"

I looked straight ahead, but I could tell he was studying me. "Just thought I might mention..You should take your egg and think it over. The prefect's bathroom is nice."

I was confused.

Later that day, I grabbed the egg and stole away to the prefect's bathroom. Sinking into the bubbles, I pulled the egg into my lap. Suddenly, I had a wild idea.

Sucking in a breath of air and sinking into the water, I opened the egg. A beautiful melody emitted from the center.

Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching, ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took,
But past an hour - the prospect's black
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back

I gasped, raising from the water. That means..the second task was at the Black Lake!

And that couldn't mean...mermaids!

OoO

I put another book back on the shelf.

"What did it say, again?" I sighed.

"'Come seek us where our voices sound; We cannot sing above the ground.'"

Ruby stopped pacing. "OH MY GOD, I GOT IT!" She turned to me. "The Black Lake!"

We all groaned.

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall came up to us. "Ms. Granger, will you come see me in my office?" Ruby and I stood up. "Oh, no. Just Ruby." She followed McGonagall away and I stood there, awkwardly.

At dinner that night, I saw Ruby slip something into Ron's pumpkin juice when he wasn't watching. I glared at her, and she grinned evily. This could not end well...

I just happened to walk into the common room first. Or so I thought. I heard a soft Mmmm.. come from the couch, and I slowly approached it. There, lying carelessly on the cushion, was Ron snogging my sister. His hand lay on the small of her back, and the way she was moving made me think it would lower.

"RUBY GENEVIEVE GRANGER, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" I yelled at her. She and Ron fell off of the couch, to my feet. They got up and looked at me, or at least my sister did. "Um, Hermione, hey, hi, how's it going?"

Her cheeks were red. "How's it going? How's it going! I will tell you how it's going. Not good! My SISTER is snogging one of my BEST FRIENDS." I continued to yell at her for a few seconds till I collapsed in an armchair. "I can't believe this. And when he gets over the love potion..you'll have to explain why he has your lipstick on him." I rubbed my temples.

"Hermione, I have every right to kiss whomever I want to!" I looked at her. "After all, I'm the same age as you, and you kissed a Slytherin. I heard through the grapevine that it got...hot." My mouth gaped open. "Ruby, who told you that?" She looked down sheepishly.

"Um, well, y'see, Snape told Ginny this," She stood up straight and tall and got on a serious face, " 'Miss Weasley, I must ask you to keep your friends at bay. They should not be sneaking about at night, with their faces stuck together in such a provocative manner.' Then she asked him who he was talking about.

'I am speaking of Miss Granger and Mister Malfoy, you fool.' He said. She told me and I was like OMG! Because I knew he wasn't talking about me."

I had to admit her Snape impression was spot-on, but this was horrible. This was the worst thing that had happened to me all year, right beside being forced to compete in the Tournament.

I went to bed quietly and promised myself I would be a better role model for my sister.

The next morning, Ruby wasn't in her bed. I got up, wondering to myself, and went through the morning routine of getting dressed. Suddenly, Professor McGonagall came up to me and told me to get in a bathing suit. Confused, I did what she asked.

Then I remembered; we were to be going in the Black Lake. When we got there, us champions were lined up on a stand. Dumbledore explained that we had one hour to rescue one of the students placed at the bottom of the lake. Before he let us go in, he mentioned that merpeople were guarding them.

I made no indication I knew this. I downed the small pill and dived.

I felt an odd sensation on my neck and started slashing around in the water. Looking down, there were fins instead of feet. Then I realized the pill'd worked. I swam in the direction I guessed they were at.

Sure enough, there was Ruby, Cho Chang, Draco Malfoy (wait what?) Lavender Brown, and Fleur's little sister floated, held down by chains. Cedric swam over to Cho and turned to me, jabbing a finger to his watch. Nodding, I grabbed Ruby by her arm and pulled. The chains disintegrated.

A shark-like thing flew by (Viktor Krum) and grabbed Lavender. I was about to swim back up to the surface, when I realized nobody would be able to get Draco. So, launching Ruby upwards, I swam down to him.

I reached for his arm, but a merperson shot over to me. "OOONNLLYY OOONNE!" It screeched.

"But- but he's my friend too!" It was a lie, most likely, but I didn't care. Time was running out. I grabbed him, but my feet were grabbed. I launched Draco up and shot a spell at the creatures. The air was tightening in my lungs; time was running out.

Somehow I managed to get away, and it was perfect timing too. The hour was up by the time I got back up and swam onto the platform.

"HERMIONE!" Ruby ran to me and put her towel around me. "You're soaked! You must be freezing. Here, sit down." Professor McGonagall ran over and handed me another towel.

Just then, Fleur popped up with her little sister and they swam over quickly.

"ATTENTION EVERYONE! All the champions are out of the water." He said some more things, but I was too numb to pay attention.

"The winner for the second task is Cedric Diggory!" Hogwarts students cheered. "Second place would go to Viktor Krum, but apparent to the circumstances, Hermione Granger wins second place," Hogwarts students cheered again, "for risking her life and placement for someone who wasn't hers to save!"

I smiled. But I wanted so badly to be inside in warm, clean clothes.

POV: Draco Lucius Malfoy

Time: 36 seconds before the ball

I sighed and put the comb down. My hair was being a prick tonight. What did it matter? Everything, you idiot. You've waited for this moment since you stepped foot in Hogwarts. I pushed away the voice.

"Draco, it's time. You're the only one up here." Blaise urged me.

"I know, I know. Go on." I tried my hair again and looked hopefully in the mirror. It sprung up again.

This was going nowhere, so I grabbed my overcoat and headed down, tightening the bow tie on my neck. Descending the stairs, I straitened my clothes.

Hearing small gasps and whispers behind me, I turned my head to the stairs. She walked down slowly, her dress ruffling behind her. Hermione pushed a hair from her face and smiled.

POV: Hermione Jean Granger

I descended the stairs. My stomach was fluttery, and I was blushing like crazy. There he was, waiting for me.

I quickly scanned the crowd and found Ruby staring, open-mouthed in disbelief. I could almost hear her saying, 'So it's true!' I smiled, pushing a stray hair from my face.

I had just reached Draco when McGonagall (A/N She has a lot to do in this story, am I right!) came over and told us to get on the carpet. Us champions were to dance first. We scurried over and stood in the middle of the dance floor.

Draco put a hand on my waist and one in my hand, and when the music started, we danced. Now, this sounds silly, but it was really fun. I'd catch hell from the girls – and the boys! - but I didn't care.

I could care less, to be honest!

When the fancy dancing was done, a famous band got up and sang. It was a fast beat. We managed to wedge out of the crowd. Plopping by Harry and Ron who were pouting because of lack of dates, I sighed.

"Isn't tonight fantastic?" They glared at me.

"Depends on the perspective..." Harry muttered. Ron sat up. "I don't get it Hermione! A week ago you would've been disgusted by the very thought of Malfoy! What has gotten into you!" He stood up and glared at me harder.

I stood up, too. "Ronald, I can like whom I want to. Why do you care, anyway? You're not my brother, father or anyone important. So go...go snog Ruby! You had no problem doing it last night!" I ran off.

Sitting on the stairs, I ignored Harry as he tried to talk to me. Draco was probably just now getting back to where I sat down and asking Ron where I went.

Sure enough, he ran up within five seconds. "Hermione- what happened?" he sounded worried.

"Ron was a prick to her. Trying to tell her that..."

Draco nodded in understatement. Men must have some sort of secret language or something, either that or they can read eachothers minds.

"Speak of the devil.." Ron shuffled up. "Oi, Malfoy. We don't want you here, so get away." I stood up and took off my heels. (They were beginning to create blisters on my heels) "Ron! You ruin everything!" with that, I ran off to the common room. Of course they chased after me, who wouldn't?

POV: Ronald Bilius Weasley

I couldn't believe it. I was trying to be helpful! After all, she wouldn't want to end up marrying a Slytherin.

But, then again, deep down inside me I knew that the only reason I wanted Malfoy away is that I might, maybe, like her a little bit a lot. I kicked myself, earning a questionable look from Harry.

POV: Hermione Jean Granger

~Third, and last, Task~

"All right, and if any of you wish to withdrawal from the task, simply send up red sparks with your wand."

We lined up at our respectable places, and Cedric went into the maze when the bell rang, and then me, followed by the others. I wandered around for a minute or so, till I heard a scream. It was from Fleur, and she wasn't far from me, so I ran.

I got there just in time to see her get taken under the bush. I ran further into the maze and literally ran into Cedric. We both apologized.

"DUCK!" he yelled suddenly and we did. Turning around, I saw Krum. He looked..possessed. Then it hit me – the imperius curse! I gasped and ran with Cedric some distance till we saw a bright, blue light; the Cup!

Cedric fell while running, and I heard him scream something about vines..I was contemplating simply leaving him there. But instead I shot at the vines till he could escape. We ran up to the cup. "Cedric.." pant, pant, "you take it," pant, pant, "I don't need it." Pant, pant."

He shook his head. "No, Hermione. You deserve it." The hedge was enclosing around us quicker and quicker. "Cedric- on three, we both grab the Cup. One...two...three!" we both grabbed it, and just as the bushes were about to squish us, we teleported out of there.

We landed in some sort of graveyard. "Cedric...the cup! It was a port key!" We scrambled up and ran toward it. Just then, a group of Death Eaters appeared around us. One of them yelled something and shot Cedric with a killing curse.

Everything collapsed in my eyes. How...who...why!

I was thrown onto the ground. I apparently passed out for a minute, because when I opened my eyes...I was being held by a statue. I saw a short, snivelly man walk up to a cauldron with something in his arms...Peter Pettigrew!

He put numerous things in the cauldron then came up to me with a knife. "NO!" I screamed as he slit my arm. Peter dropped the blood into the cauldron and then the small babyish thing. Thirty grueling seconds later, a figure emerged from the bowl. It's skin a pasty white, it's nose but two slits and the mouth very, very thin. I noticed his fingers were abnormally long and thin..

Lord Voldemort.

He stepped out onto the soil – barefooted – and opened his eyes. They were just slits, and bloodred. I shuddered.

He addressed the Death Eaters. "It's been thirteen years. Thirteen years, and none of you have tried to find me. Not even you." He grabbed the mask of several of them, and they fell to their knees.

"Even you, Lucius, didn't return." He ripped off Lucius' mask. I gaped; Mr. Malfoy was a DEATH EATER?

"S-sir, I ret-turned!" Pettigrew spluttered.

"Out of fear, Wormtail! Not loyalty!" He came upon Cedric's body. "Such a shame. So handsome." He nudged his face with his ugly, white foot.
"DON'T TOUCH HIM!" I screamed at Voldemort. He turned. "Ah, Hermione! I'd almost forgotten you were there, standing on the bones of my father! I'd introduce you," he gestured to his followers, "but word has it, you're almost as famous as I."

He made his way up to me. "How was it you managed to stay alive? To cause me to lose my power? Many would say your mother's love kept you from dying. Lily Granger needn't have died, Hermione."

I gritted my teeth. "What do you want with me, Voldemort?" The name tasted of venom.

"I want nothing more than to finish what I started; to kill you. And, I have your blood running in my veins..." he reached a finger toward my forehead, "I can touch you. Watch this, my followers, as I do what, 13 years ago, was impossible." He touched the scar on my forehead, and I felt a burning sensation.

When I let out a scream, he laughed evily, and then made the statue let me go. I dropped to the ground, panting. "Stand up, you fool. We shall duel to the death!" I wearily put a foot on the ground, and stood up shakily. "Now, as you know, we bow before a duel." He bowed grandly. I simply scowled at him.

"I said, bow!" His magic forced me to, and it hurt to bow.

We stood up and pointed our wands at eachother. One death eater started to walk up too, but Voldemort stopped him. "I will be the one to kill Hermione Granger."

At the same time I screamed out, EXPELLIARMUS! He yelled, AVADA KADAVRA!

The green and the red sparks combined and we fought. I wondered how this was possible. Within a few seconds I saw some sort of blue objects flying out from the sparks, and figures landed beside me.

"Honey, the twin cores are fighting. When I say so, let go." I knew that voice. Where had I heard it?
On my right, "Hermione, take my body back. Take my body to my father. Please." This was Cedric...Cedric's ghost!

Then back on my left, "Sweetheart, let go. Let go." It dawned on me: my mother and father's ghosts!

I stopped fighting it and dove down, grabbed Cedric's body and the cup. I heard Voldemort scream in anger as I apparated out of there.

I landed in the middle of the field. Viktor and Fleur stood next to Dumbledore and Fudge.

I didn't stand up when the headmaster ran over. "He's back! Voldemort's back and he's killed Cedric!"

Burying my face in Cedric's chest, I wished it would all go away. I'm not sure but I think I was taken away by Madam Pomfrey and put in the Hospital Wing.

I cried myself to sleep and didn't go to dinner.

The next night, they said that I had been appointed the winner of the TriWizard Tournament. I was given the cup and the large amount of Galleons. Of course, I smiled throughout the whole shindig.

The same night, I was packing all my stuff into my suitcases when Ruby came up to me and sat on the bed.

"Hey, Hermione? I wanted to apologize a few days ago. After the first task...I realized you'd have to be a retard to enter your name in that cup. So...forgive me?"

I smiled and hugged her. "Of course I do, but..." I pulled away, "are you okay with me...and Draco?" I smiled sheepishly. It felt so weird to say it like that.

She smiled too. "Of course! But only if you approve me totally dating Ron." I laughed and said yes.

The train ride home was amazing. We had plenty of laughs. Of course, Ron hadn't totally forgiven me and I hadn't forgiven him. But we'd patch it up next year...right?