- I am extremely sorry that I haven't updated. There's been...a lot of crap going on in my life these past months... so yeah. I know you probably all hate me, and I wouldn't be surprised if everyone had forgotten what this story is about. But please, enjoy this chapter.

Love sent to: dracoluvathatiam, sweet-tang-honney, keelhaulrose, scarredprincess, dreadfuldelights, Crossy, voldyismyfather, ., The Unsuspected Evil Butterfly, JacobSalvatoreBlack, GuurrlyGalxoxo, 11xNaNx11, BustyxxxxWizard, Siriusly-a-princess, IheartDracoandRon, zanessa-troyella1032, CFCRockAngel, CCCookiexC3, VioletDhaliwal, lovesick918, That Ella Loves, Lightning And Blossoms, Vampire Ginny Cullen, sarlovesoccer, heal my bleeding heart, Kermit 304, Jasper McKinley, and flyingboppers1999.

Chapter 30: Competition

Hermione shivered as she entered the dungeon, accompanied by Blaise and Harry. They sat by the door, so they could make a quick escape when it was over.

All they needed was already on their desks, and Snape allowed them to start as soon as they sat down- he seemed anxious to get the competition over and done with.

Hermione quickly went through the questions, they were basic enough and Hermione would have been worried if she hadn't known Draco's birthday...some things are vital if you're in a relationship.

She paused at question twenty three; "What does your partner fear most?" She knew that Draco had many worries...but what would he have feared most? After a while, she wrote, "his father." It was true, he threatened to destroy their relationship, and Hermione didn't want that to happen.

Half and hour later, she was finished. Snape nodded at her and she escaped the dungeon. She glanced back and saw that Harry had already left, but Blaise was scratching his head. She chuckled and ran back to their room. Harry was there, along with Ginny.

"Hermione," they smiled. "How did you find it?" Harry asked.

"It was alright, nothing was difficult thank god. I knew answers to every question...it was just figuring out which Draco would think as the right answer."

"I know what you mean," Ginny nodded. "I did laugh at number nineteen; "what does your partner feel is their best feature? I know what Blaise thinks is his best...but I didn't know if he had enough guts to put it his official answer. So I just put his personality, because it's just logical you know?"

"I put Draco's hair! Have you seen how many times he preens in the mirror?"

"Like...all the time," Ginny laughed.

The door opened, and Pansy walked in and smiled at Harry.

"Hey you," she winked. Harry beamed and kissed her when she sat next to him.

"Where are the guys? Surely they're not finding it hard...it's quite insulting," Hermione sighed.

"Draco was nearly finished when I left; he looked quite pleased with himself. But then again...when does he not?"

"Why are you all teasing me?" Draco groaned from the open door.

"Because," Hermione smirked.

"It's fun, and your reactions are priceless." Harry said.

"Ugh...you're so annoying. Why can't you pick on someone else? Like Blaise...he's clearly found it hard since he's the only one not here."

"We'll do that when he comes back. But you're here now, convenient much?" Ginny grinned.

Draco slumped onto the seat next to Hermione and put his head in her lap.

"I think Draco's a bit embarrassed..." Hermione said whilst patting his head.

"A bit?" Draco said, his voice muffled.

"Eww Draco, don't drool on me," Hermione groaned, pushing him away. Draco sat up and smoothed his hair down. The room echoed with laughter.

"Whaaaaaaaaat?" Draco wailed.

"What's going on here? Why are you making Draco act like a child?" Blaise asked, disapprovingly.

"Blaise!" Ginny cried happily, leaping from the sofa and jumping into his open arms.

"Fine, ignore me then!" Draco said.

"Stop being a baby," Hermione murmured.

"Why were you laughing at me then? I don't mind when you do it, but I hate being teased by everyone..." Draco said sadly.

"Aww diddums. It was just something we said before you came in, and then you reminded us of it and it made us laugh." Hermione explained, ruffling his hair.

"Oh...ok then," Draco smiled and kissed her.

"Alright students," Professor McGonagall called. The wind had picked up, but luckily it wasn't snowing. Everyone was dressed warmly, and Hermione had made sure to charm Draco's clothes to keep the warmth in, as well as her own.

They were standing on the Quidditch pitch, which was being used for the challenge section of the competition. However, there was a shield surrounding the obstacle course, so the students had no way of knowing what they would face.

"I'll keep it short; as I'm sure you want to get inside away from the wind. We're standing at the start line, and each couple must make their way to the other end, tackling obstacles on the way. However, the trick to this is...one of you will be blindfolded. Therefore, you must work as a partnership in order to succeed and proceed to the next obstacle. You will go with your room, as there is three of the same obstacle course. The quicker your reach the end, the more points you receive. Is that clear?"

Hermione glanced at Draco, who seemed to be smirking.

"Of course, this will not be dangerous, this is taking on a Muggle tradition used to help teams bond. So there will not be any creatures you need to face." This seemed directed at Ginny, who had gone pale over the thought of completing the course with no sight.

The group nodded, all looking quite nervous.

"Good. Now, please decide among you who will be blind folded and who will be the guide. When I blow the whistle, you may begin."

"I don't want you to guide me," Hermione said firmly, looking at Draco.

He feigned hurt, "why not? I'm an excellent guide!"

"Draco! Remember... when we took a walk in the grounds...and you said going through the bushes would be a shortcut?"

"Ahh yes, the memories," Draco smiled.

"We got bloody lost! Hagrid had to come and find us!"

"Hey, that wasn't my fault..."

"How is that not your fault? I told you to stick to the path-"

"Hermione, where is your sense of adventure?"

"I've had enough adventure to last me a lifetime thank you very much," she replied stiffly.

Draco sighed. "Have you ever heard of second chances? Please- let me guide you. I won't hurt you...pinkie swear."

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Please Hermione," Draco looked into her eyes, holding her gaze.

She winced, and gave in. "Fine, but...don't make me fall over alright? I quite like my jeans..."

Draco beamed.

Meanwhile, Harry had already been forced into wearing the blindfold, although he did argue that he was as blind as a bat without his glasses anyway, and consequently didn't really need to wear the blindfold in the first place. Pansy stood behind him, looking smug.

Blaise was coercing a freaked out Ginny into wearing the blindfold as well. His argument... wasn't exactly the most convincing.

"Please wear the blindfold Ginny! It will mess up my hair...besides; it's the man's job to look after his girl...especially his pregnant fiancé..."

"The wind has already messed up your hair, you plonker! And just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I'm weak. You're wearing it. Do you want me to fall and hurt our child?" Ginny rubbed her stomach.

Blaise groaned. "Fine, but it's your fault if it ruins my hair!"

"I'll gladly take the punishment..." was Ginny's reply.

A few minutes later, everyone was ready in their groups and starting positions. Hermione was up first, along with the rest of her group.

The blindfold slipped over her head and rested comfortably on her face, blocking out any light. It was a weird feeling, and very claustrophobic. She clung on to Draco's hand tightly, and was desperately listening for the whistle. The sooner it started, the sooner it was over.

"Ready?" Hermione heard Professor McGonagall yell over the whistling wind.

"Oh Merlin..," Hermione whispered.

"We'll be fine, I've got you," Draco squeezed her hand reassuringly.

The sharp sound of the whistle rang out. Draco pulled Hermione's forward, muttering, "Keep moving forwards. Faster...that's it...you're doing great." Hermione squealed as she nearly slipped on a muddy patch of ground. Draco whipped her up before she fell and Hermione tumbled to the first obstacle.

"Draco? What is it? What do we need to do?" Hermione cried out, she couldn't hear anything apart from the wind. All her senses had sharpened since the blackness had engulfed her.

"It's fine! It's just a ramp. It's quite narrow, and no doubt slippery. You need to go up and along it."

"Where is it?"

"Just in front of you. Take a small step forward; can you feel the piece of wood sticking out?"

"Y-Yeah..."

"Great...I've got you, just put one foot over another, and I'll walk by your side. There's a platform for me to walk on."

Tentatively, Hermione did as she was told. The wood jutted out and she stepped onto it, feeling how narrow it was before taking another step. Draco comforted her from the side, encouraging her to keep moving.

"Where are the others? Can you see them?" Hermione asked.

"No, all I see is our course. There are two more after this. They seem pretty easy!" Draco replied.

"How long is this one?"

"You're about halfway there! It's going to start moving down again now... be careful."

Hermione tightened her grip on his hand as she felt the gradient become lower, until she was at the bottom and on the floor again.

"Great, Hermione! God, you're amazing. Hurry, the next obstacle is to our right. Run!"

Draco pulled her forward, increasing her running pace. Hermione flinched, not knowing where to put her feet was terrifying.

"Are we there yet?"

"Nearly," panted Draco.

"What is it?"

"Oh god."

Hermione's anxiety increased.

"What is it?"

"Umm, there are loads of items on the ground...and we lose points if we touch- well you- touch them. I have to go behind you...and direct you through the so called maze."

"Sounds great," muttered Hermione sarcastically.

Draco moved so his arms were round her waist.

"Mmm, snugly," Draco kissed her neck.

"Draco! Now isn't the time! We have a race to win!"

"Sorry, ok...go forward...about 6 steps...yes, that's it...now, turn left and keep walking till I say stop..."

This carried on for over 5 minutes, it was very large, and when they got to the middle, the items started to move, increasing the difficulty level.

Eventually, they reached the end.

"You're going great Hermione! Last thing...and then we're done!"

"Thank god... I don't like being in the dark...it's freaking me out..."

"You're fine; you're with the impressive Draco Malfoy. I never break promises."

Hermione snorted, "Yeah...sure."

"Ugh, we'll continue this argument later. Meanwhile, you need to get on your hands and knees...and...joking, joking!" Hermione had shrieked at the thought of being on the cold, wet ground.

"Now is not the time for jokes"

"I know that, I thought I'd lighten the mood," Draco mused.

"Just tell me what I need to do."

"Sorry, ok... this is easy compared to last time. There are beams at different heights and you need to climb over and under, making sure you don't knock yourself out in the process. Simple!"

Hermione groaned. "Let's just get this over with."

"Umm, you need to let go of my hand, Hermione."

Hermione groaned louder. "I hate this, this is a ridiculous task, what's the point to all this?"

"It's about learning to trust your partner."

Hermione winced, and let go of his hand.

"I'm moving to the side now, right. Inch forward for about ten steps, yeah that's great. Now duck...duck! OK, crouch forward...and you're through! Next one. Keep moving forward. More, more, more, stop! Reach out and grab the wood, it's about waist high...well done! Climb over it...you're not supposed to fall down!"

"You try it if you're so smart!" Hermione screeched from the floor.

"Now isn't the time! Get up and walk forward four steps! FOUR! Yes, bend down and keep going forward...great...ok now get down on your hands and knees."

"What?" The wind roared so loudly, Hermione couldn't hear him clearly.

"Get Down On Your Hands And Knees!" Draco bellowed.

Hermione winced as she crouched right down on the floor; she refused to put her knees on the floor.

"Shuffle forward until I tell you to stand up...more...more...brilliant! You can stand up now!" Draco smiled.

"It's cold, Draco!" Hermione complained.

"Don't worry, this one is the last one, it's quite low down, you can step over it. After that just wait there and I'll grab your hand. Ready?" Draco explained.

"Of course I'm ready!"

"Move forward until your feet touch it. That's brilliant, Hermione. Now, it's about knee high, so judge the height and step over it. Fantastic! You're through! Wait there."

Draco ran up to her, grabbed her hand and pulled her to the finish line a couple of yards away.

A horn bellowed and Hermione heard Professor Snape issuing their time.

"That's ten minutes and 27 seconds...yes, right it down."

"You can take off your blindfold now, Hermione."

Hermione pulled off and immediately blinked at the harsh light. Harry and Pansy were standing to their left, looking fairly smug.

"You took your time; we've been here for about five minutes waiting for you," Harry smiled, enveloping Hermione in a hug.

"Sorry...the maze took a while, it was bloody long!" Draco replied.

"Really? We found that quite easy..." mused Pansy.

"Of course you did, you must have found everything easy..." Draco said darkly.

"Well, obviously," Harry winked.

At that moment, Ginny and Blaise came bursting through from nowhere, panting heavily.

"Oh great, we're last!" Ginny wailed.

"Well, maybe if I had been the guide, we wouldn't have gotten lost in the maze!"

"You got lost in the maze?" Hermione frowned.

"Yeah! It was a huge hedge maze, like from the Twiwizard tournament? Why, was yours not like that?" Ginny asked.

"No...maybe they changed the difficulty levels; I mean our first bridge was pretty high...and really narrow. Hermione nearly fell off and one point!" Draco stated.

"I did?" Hermione asked, bemusedly.

"Yeah, when you started walking down, your foot hung in midair, I was so afraid, but I didn't want to freak you out."

"Wow, I do not want to do that ever again," Hermione rubbed her arms. The warming charm was starting to wear off, and she hadn't got her wand on her- Professor McGonagall had removed all their wands before the task had started.

Draco noticed, and pulled her closer to him, so they could share body heat.

"What do we do now?" Ginny asked, looking around. They were the only students so far, as well as Professor Snape and a few fifth year students.

"You may either stay here to wait for your fellow students, or go back to the castle and wait in the Great Hall. I'm sure there will be warm beverages available..." Professor Snape replied.

"Sounds great! Let's get out of here," Blaise said happily.

"Remember, we need to see Dumbledore now," Draco reminded Hermione.

"In a minute, let's get warmed up first. I would love a hot chocolate," Hermione smiled, linking arms with Draco and walking briskly up to the castle.

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