Harry eventually caught up with Hermione and the two walked down towards the lake. Hermione was very eager to find out what her present was but another question weighed heavily on her mind.
"Harry?"
"Yes Hermione?"
"What exactly did you show Professor Flitwick that convinced him to let us out of class?"
"Oh nothing," said Harry, pretending to look aloof. "Just a simple spell."
"Just a simple spell, huh?" Hermione replied, questioning Harry's simplistic answer.
"Yes Hermione just a simple spell."
The two continued their walk in silence until Harry stopped along the shores of the lake.
"Hermione?"
The young witch turned her head towards her best friend, waiting for his question.
"Are you happy that I remembered your birthday?"
Hermione was baffled by the question.
"Of course I'm happy that you remembered my birthday. Why wouldn't I be?"
"No reason. I just wanted to know whether or not you were happy."
Hermione raised her hand to Harry's cheek and turned his head so that they were staring into each others eyes.
"Yes Harry. You have made me very happy today." Hermione then leaned forward and placed a light kiss on his cheek. She couldn't help but giggle at the shocked look plastered on his face. After a few seconds, Harry came back to his senses and started to speak.
"Well I'm glad I made you happy because knowing that you are happy makes me happy. And when I get really happy, I can do things like this." Without another word, Harry withdrew his wand and pointed it towards the center of the lake.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A brilliant silver stag burst forth from the tip of Harry's wand and galloped across the lake. Hermione was astounded by how beautiful the creature looked. When Harry called it forth at the end of the previous school year, she had been kind of distracted watching her past self almost die. But now, she could see how impressive his patronus really was.
After about a minute, Harry allowed his stag to dissipate and then he turned back towards Hermione.
"That was brilliant Harry."
"Those were the exact words that Flitwick said. Mind you he fell off his stack of books at his desk when I cast the spell but still."
Hermione laughed at the thought but wasn't quite sure where all this was going.
"So Harry, why did you bring me all the way out here to show me that? I already knew that you could cast the patronus."
"I know you know that I can cast a patronus. We are here to teach you how to conjure a patronus. And since Double Charms was our last class for the day, we have all afternoon to learn." Harry finished his statement with a smile due to the fact that Hermione's smile had gotten bigger and bigger as he went on.
To say that Hermione was excited would have been a gross understatement. Her best friend in the whole world was going to teach her a very difficult spell that he had mastered not even four months ago and to top it all off, they were going to do so by the lake on a beautiful fall afternoon. Harry started things off by simply teaching Hermione how to pronounce the spell. That task took less than a minute. The next part was much trickier.
"Alright Hermione, the next part is going the hardest part. You have to think of a happy memory. Something that could bring a smile to your face even when you were at your saddest. Take a while to think about and then we will try it out."
Hermione didn't take too long to figure out a memory. It was the day she found out she was a witch. So many of the weird things that had been happening to her had finally made sense. In addition, she found she would be going to the best magical school in all of the United Kingdom where she learn new things and make friends.
"I'm ready Harry."
"All right. If you're sure, let's try it out."
Harry stood behind Hermione while he watched her get ready. Hermione took a big breath, raised her wand and spoke the spell.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A small wisp of silver left the tip of Hermione's wand but fizzled out after ten seconds.
"That was a good start Hermione. If you don't mind me asking, what did you think about?"
"When I found out I was a witch."
"I see." Harry said, scratching the back of his head.
"And what does that mean, Harry?" Hermione spoke back, a bit harsher than she meant it.
"Nothing. Calm down Hermione. You are having the same problem Remus said I was having when he taught me this last year. While he said my memories were good, they weren't powerful enough. The memory has to be something that could pull you out of the darkest depression. Something so strong that enough thinking of it briefly would bring a big smile to your face. Let's just relax and we'll try again when you think of another memory okay."
Hermione nodded her head in the affirmative. They spent the next half hour trying out different memories to varying levels of success. By the end the end of that first hour, Hermione was able to hold a shield for a full minute. While Harry was happy with her progress, Hermione was a little put out. She wanted a corporeal patronus and she would not rest until she got one.
"Why isn't this working? I am thinking happy thoughts and yet I can't get a stupid animal out of this stupid wand." Harry could see that Hermione was getting quite frustrated and tried his best to calm her down.
"Hermione, you're doing brilliant. It took me weeks to get that far and you have done it in little more than 90 minutes. Be proud of that." Harry hoped that his words would have a calming effect on the young witch but he was sadly mistaken.
"Harry I get what you are trying to say but I really wanted to be able to create a corporeal one. I mean it comes so easy for you..." Hermione looked up and saw Harry's facial expression change from calm to irritated. She quickly back-peddled. "I'm sorry Harry. I didn't mean it like that, I swear. It's just..." Harry held up his hand to cut off her rant.
"Calm down Hermione, I know what you meant. Everything comes easy to you and the fact that this doesn't is making you frustrated. But if you will recall, it took almost 50 dementors coming to kill us that allowed me to create a corporeal one. Be thankful that you don't have to learn in such harsh conditions."
Hermione seemed thoughtful for a second before yelling out, "That's it Harry."
"What's it Hermione?" Harry was confused by her sudden outburst.
"What were you thinking of when you cast the patronus that night?"
Harry wasn't expecting that question and honestly didn't know how to answer it. He knew that he could do it because he had already seen himself do it earlier that night. But as for his actual thoughts, he wasn't really sure.
"Hermione, I'm not really sure what I was thinking. That entire night was one big blur. The only thing I was thinking of was to keep you and Sirius safe. I mean Sirius is my godfather and you're...you. I couldn't let anything happen to you so I just cast the spell and what happened happened...again, I think."
Hermione listened intently to Harry's answer and was blushed lightly when Harry couldn't put into words what he felt for her. She then realized what Harry was saying and thought she may have found a way to create her own corporeal patronus.
"So Harry, if what you say is true then your only thought was to keep me and Sirius safe." Harry nodded at Hermione's assessment. "But you had only just found out about Sirius's innocence so how could have truly wished for him to be safe when you barely knew him." Harry nodded his head again, albeit slower than before. He wasn't sure where she was going with this.
"So, since you barely knew Sirius at that time, your mind must have focused on one of the two remaining individuals at the edge of that pond. You are not an egotistical man so I doubt you were that concerned with yourself. As such, you must have focused all your attention on me. Which means Harry that the thought of keeping me safe is what drove you to cast such a powerful charm." Harry hadn't noticed that Hermione had been moving closer to him during her mini rant. As such, by the time she was finished with her theory, they were standing only inches apart.
"Don't you think you are standing kind of close Hermione," Harry whispered.
"Nope."
They stared into each others eyes for a minute before Hermione backed away slowly.
"Harry?"
"Yes Hermione."
"It's my birthday."
"I'm aware."
"So was the contact unwanted?" Hermione asked, her back to Harry.
Harry was puzzled by the question at first. Then, after about of minute of thinking, Harry realized what Hermione was asking. Harry, using all of his Gryffindor courage, walked up behind Hermione, wrapping his arms around her waist. He leaned in close and whispered a single word into her ear.
"No."
Hermione turned her head slightly to stare into Harry's eyes. Once she determined he was telling the truth, she turned back towards the lake and raised her wand.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A bright light erupted from the tip of Hermione's wand. At first, it seemed like just another shield, but the light soon took shape. Harry and Hermione both stared out into the middle of the lake and saw a silver otter hovering over the middle of the lake looking back at the two teens. Soon, the otter disappeared. Hermione turned in Harry's arm and planted a kiss against his cheek.
"Thank you Harry," she whispered, inchesfrom his lips.
"Anytime."
The two soon left the lake to rejoin Ron for dinner and learn what they had missed that day in class.
The days and weeks passed and life was rather simple for the first time in Harry's life. He found he liked Arithmancy more than Ancient Runes, as Hermione had correctly predicted. He also found himself enjoying Defense Against the Dark Arts more so than he had the year previous. He was quite proud of the fact that he had been the only one to be able to throw off the Imperious curse. He also gained great respect for Professor Mooney after an incident with Draco led the former auror to turn the blonde git into a ferret.
However, Harry spirits took a turn for the worse in the days preceding Halloween. Most of the students didn't notice Harry's change in demeanor due to the fact that the other schools competing in the TriWizard Tournament would be arriving by the end of the week. Hermione tried to get Harry to talk about it but each attempt was met resistance. Hermione became even more curious about Harry's behavior when she noticed he had stayed later in both Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, to talk to Professor Sprout and Harid, respectfully. However, when she questioned him about this, she was met with silence. His only words were that he was okay and that Halloween was almost over so she wouldn't have to worry for long.
All too soon it was Halloween night. The Great Hall was decorated from floor to ceiling in anticipation for their guests. However, Hermione couldn't have cared less. Harry had been reclusive all day and barely said a word in any of the classes they shared. She became even more concerned when she couldn't spot Harry during the feast to welcome the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. Hermione barely paid attention to anything that the Headmaster said. All she caught was "glory," "one champion," "tasks," and "Goblet of Fire."
After the feast was over, Hermione rushed back to Gryffindor Tower in hopes of catching Harry. However, she couldn't find him and no one could say where he was. She became angry at the boy for not seeing that she only wanted to help him. She just wanted him to be happy. Hermione parked herself on the couch in the common room in hopes that she would catch Harry at some point. Ron had offered to stay with her but she declined his offer. Hermione noticed that Ron seemed angered by her answer but in the end she only cared about talking to Harry. However, despite her best attempts, she fell asleep before Harry re-entered the dormitory.
And that is how Harry found when he walked into the Tower a little after 2 o'clock in the morning. Instead of waking her, Harry simply pulled a blanket over her sleeping form and kissed her on her forehead. Harry then walked up to his dorm when he was assaulted by a sound that he had never heard in his dorm before: silence. Harry was curious as to why there was no snoring when Harry heard Ron's voice in the darkness.
"Where have you been, mate?" Ron said, a slight edge in his voice.
"Out."
"Where?"
"Why is that any of your concern?"
"Because you could have cost us house points, that's why."
"Two things, Ron. First, the House Cup was cancelled this year because of the tournament. Second, I had permission from McGonagall to be out so I wouldn't have lost points anyway."
Harry didn't like the way Ron was questioning him. Their friendship had been strained for a while now and Harry was starting to get sick of Ron constantly looking at him suspiciously. They were friends but Ron's actions were starting to make Harry doubt whether they should continue being friends.
"Did you find a way to enter your name into the Goblet?"
"What goblet?"
"Don't play stupid Harry. The Goblet of Fire that determines the TriWizard champions. Did you find a way past Dumbledore's spells?"
"Again, two things Ron. First, I wasn't at dinner tonight so I have no idea what the hell you are talking about. And second, I have no interest in this stupid tournament. I just want a normal year where I do my homework, not have my DADA teacher try to kill me and maybe go on dates with girls."
Ron perked up at that last statement. Ron had wondered what happened on Hermione's birthday between the two. They seemed even closer than they were before and Harry's statement seemed to indicate that he was considering on asking Hermione out. Ron started to worry even more when he realized that there was a Hogsmeade trip coming up that weekend. He was curious as to whether Harry asked Hermione to go out with him on a date.
"When you say girls, who do you mean?"
"You know, girls. The opposite of boys. A certain something is missing from between their legs."
"You know what I mean Harry. Is there any girl that you are thinking about asking out?"
Harry looked back towards Ron's bed, trying to figure out why his friend was asking so many questions. Harry had thought that Ron might have a crush on Hermione but he never seemed to make a move. But then again, Harry had been spending a large amount of time with Hermione and Ron may have felt uncomfortable asking in front of him. Harry decided that he would give Ron this one chance to tell him of his feelings for their mutual best friend.
"Ron, in this about Hermione?"
Ron didn't answer Harry. Frankly, he never thought that Harry would ask him directly. But now that Harry had asked, Ron wasn't sure what to say. If he admitted he had feeling for Hermione, would Harry back down and let him have a chance or would he challenge Ron for Hermione's heart. Ron hoped for the former as he knew he didn't stand a chance if Harry actually tried to win over Hermione. His other option was to deny it to Harry's face and work behind his back to get Hermione. Maybe some private study sessions in classes that Harry was already good at, this way he wouldn't be needed at the study sessions. With his decision made up, Ron spoke to his "best" friend.
"No Harry, I don't have feelings for Hermione. She's like a sister to me. And I bet it's the same for her. It's always been that way."
While Harry couldn't see Ron, he knew he was lying. He simply asked Ron if his questions were about Hermione and any potential feelings Harry may have had. Harry, at no point asked Ron about his feelings for Hermione; Ron gave those up unasked. However, he had said no so Harry had no problems telling Ron the truth.
"I'm glad you feel that way Ron because if I can be honest, I think I may have feelings for Hermione. I was planning to ask her to Hogsmeade this weekend and I'm glad that you won't have a problem with it." With that said, Harry climbed into his bed and went to sleep. Ron, however, was fuming at the thought of Harry wooing Hermione on a date. He realized that he may have just made the biggest mistake in his young life.
The following morning was very interesting. Hermione was rather angry at Harry's behavior the previous and spent the entire morning ignoring him. She felt that it was only fair since he spent the previous day ignoring her. He finally got back back on her good side when he informed her that he would tell her where he was the previous day after dinner. Together, the two of them watched various students enter the tournament. They witnessed Cedric Diggory, the only person to beat Harry in quidditch, enter into the tournament as well as fellow Gryffindor Angelina Johnson. They also witness Victor Krum, international quidditch star, of Durmstrang and Fleur Delacour, a part-veela witch, of Beauxbatons enter as well. Harry and Hermione seemed to be the only two who were unaffected by the presence of either teenager.
The best part of the day came when the Weasley brothers attempted to fool the Goblet by drinking an aging potion. Ron thought that Hermione would think he was clever and brave for trying to enter in such a way. He was disappointed when she told the trio that something so simple wouldn't be able to trick a spell that Dumbledore himself cast. Undeterred, the brothers drank their potions and crossed the line. At first everything seemed perfect. Ron looked back towards Hermione with a smile and a thumbs up. Soon, however, the brothers were thrown back by the spell and rapidly aged, turning their hair white and growing equally long white beards. While Fred and George were fighting with each other over whose fault it was that their plan had failed, Ron was crushed to see Hermione laughing at him along with Harry. He quickly got to his feet and ran out of the Great Hall.
The rest of the day passed smoothly and it was finally time to name the champions. Hermione was eager for dinner to be over so Harry could tell her what he had done the night before.
"Hermione, you really need to calm down. What I have to tell you isn't that big a deal," Harry said, a smile playing at his lips. He found it cute how anxious Hermione was.
"Says you. And if it isn't that big a deal then tell me now." When Harry didn't respond, Hermione simply nodded her head. "That's what I thought."
Soon thereafter, Albus Dumbledore stood before the gather student body and prepared to call the champions. Soon, the fire inside the Goblet turned blue and spat out a piece of paper that Dumbledore caught in his hands.
"The Beauxbatons champion is...Fleur Delacour." There was a loud applause coming from Ravenclaw table where the Beauxbaton students were sitting. The young witch was escorted into an antechamber found in the rear of the Great Hall.
The Goblet changed colors again and spat out the next champion. "The Hogwarts champion is...Cedric Diggory." The entire Hufflepuff house rose and gave their housemate a standing ovation. Cedric, slightly embarrassed, soon left for the antechamber.
The final name came out of the Goblet, and to no one's surprise, Victor Krum was named the champion of Durmstrang.
Harry was relieved that it was over. Harry had been nervous that something was going to happen and he would somehow be named Hogwarts champion. After Cedric had been chosen, Harry gave a deep sigh of relief. Hermione, noticing Harry's reaction, was curious as to why Harry even felt nervous.
"Harry, are you okay?"
"Yeah, Hermione. I was just a little nervous about tonight."
Ron, overhearing the conversation couldn't help but butt-in.
"Why would you be nervous, Harry? You said last night that you didn't want to be in this tournament."
Harry, angry at Ron for eavesdropping into his conversation, turned towards his friends and answered his question.
"Simple, Ron. Just because I don't want to be in this tournament doesn't mean someone couldn't have found a way to put me in this tournament. Remember Dobby and all the hell he put me through." Harry noticed Hermione flinched slightly when the tournament came up. "Hermione, is there something you wanted to ask me?"
Hermione winced at the icy way in which Harry asked the question.
"Well, it's just that I thought you had entered yourself in the tournament."
Harry hadn't been expecting that. Harry was adamant that he wanted nothing to do with the tournament, so he was a little hurt when Hermione believed he had entered himself. Before Harry could say anything, Hermione jumped right back in.
"Harry, I know you said you wanted nothing to do this but I thought that you may have been protesting a bit too much. And remember during the opening feast when you pretended that you only got into Arithmancy. I just thought that maybe you were trying to be a bit like your dad and maybe pull a big prank on the school and what better way to do that than to find a way into the tournament. Sorry if I offended you Harry. I didn't mean anything by it"
Harry, while still a little upset, couldn't fault Hermione's logic. He was out late the previous night and he wasn't exactly forthcoming with what he did the night before. BUt he wanted to let her know that this tournament was the last thing on his mind.
"It's okay Hermione, I understand. I have been a bit distant lately and with what happened yesterday, I can see where you are coming from. But like I said to Ron Iast night, just want to get good grades and not have my DADA teacher try and kill me."
"Don't forget dating pretty girls, Harry."
Harry turned towards Ron and glared at him. Hermione, on the other hand, started to laugh.
"Well Harry. Wait till Witches' Weekly gets their hands on that story. 'The Boy-Who-Lived Wishes to Become Boy-Who-Loves.' You have to admit it has a great ring to it." The look on Harry's face after hearing the mock headline was priceless. Harry, however, would not be deterred.
"I thought we already agreed on my first big headline during the summer," Harry responded, smirking at his friend.
"Well now things have changed. Let's have it Harry. What are the things you are looking for in your dream woman?" While Hermione might have been playing, a part of her had a vested interest in his answer.
Harry looked his best friend in the eyes and gave her the list of things he looks for in a girl.
"Well as Ron stated earlier, she has to be pretty as the Boy-Who-Lived can't be seen with someone ugly. She has to be wealthy pure-blood and has to be shorter than me because I will not be made to look like a midget, Harry stated sarcastically.
"Harry, I was being serious."
"So was I Hermione."
Harry then sensed that Hermione truly wanted to know what he looked for in a girl and decided that she, of all people, should know the truth.
"I need a girl who is smart. I have a tendency to do things without thinking and I need someone who can help me curb those thoughts. She has to be compassionate and confident in herself. I need her to be able to challenge me. I don't want a doormat. I want someone who will call on my crap but does so out of care and not because they want to be proven right. And most importantly, their hair has to be as unmanageable as mine." Harry smiled as he said the last one and he noticed that Hermione was smiling too.
"Well, that is a long list Harry. I hope you find her."
"What makes you think that I already haven't?"
"Well, if you did find such a girl, I would expect that you would have asked her out already."
"Maybe I was waiting for the right time. Like, let's say, a Hogsmeade weekend."
"Well then Harry, you better hurry up and ask her. Who knows whether or not someone might ask her before you get the chance." And there it was. Hermione had just challenged Harry to ask her out and Harry, being a Gryffindor, was not about to back down. Harry opened his mouth to respond when he noticed a change in Hermione. She had just been smiling but in a split second, her smile was gone and a frown was on her face.
"Hermione, what's wrong?"
"The Goblet, Harry," Hermione responded.
"What about it?"
"It just turned blue again."
Upon hearing this, Harry slowly turned his head back towards the Goblet. And sure enough the fire had turned blue again. A second later, a piece of paper flew into the air. Everyone in the hall was quiet as this wasn't supposed to happen. Dumbledore stood completely still as the piece of paper fell to the floor.
'No! Not again' Harry screamed in his head. This couldn't be happening. This shouldn't be happening. He didn't go anywhere near the goblet. Fear was rising in Harry as he watched Dumbledore slowly pick up the piece of paper. He knew what it said before Dumbledore spoke.
"Harry Potter."