A/N: PLEASE READ THE A/N AT THE BOTTOMOF THIS CHAPTER. I NEED SOME HELP …

I apologize for the long absence. First I couldn't get one of my other stories off my mind so I decided to work on it a bit in the hopes that I could get back to this one, my first FanFic. But as you all can tell that didn't quite work out to plan. My mind just would not let go of the other one and kept fueling me with ideas. Finally my mind slows it down and potentially be able to get back to this one…(sigh)…and then I get sick and I am still getting over it. I ask for patience through the rest of this story. Do not worry I will finish it no matter how long it takes me to do so. I also apologize ahead of time for should I go to fast in the future. And now…on with the story…


Chapter 93

After Hermione's late question and Harry's response all in the room were silent, pondering what Hermione said. It was unnerving to say the least.

"When you really pause to think about it, it's scary and really disturbing. The planning of the tournament and organization that it takes…of course there is the secrecy with it as well so that no one potentially able to enter and be selected would be able to know what he or she might face in the tournament. Though there are quite a few that know about it, there's still not many that it could have been."

"Ron, what the bloody hell are you going on about?"

"Harry, think about it…it could have only been someone that was involved with the planning, organizing and such."

"I see what you are saying but there hasn't been anyone around really that has anything to do with the tournament aside from the three schools involved. The Goblet of Fire is really strong magical object. There aren't many that could successfully hood wink it to select four champions. To my knowledge it wouldn't just take a really powerful witch or wizard to accomplish such a thing but a rather dark witch or wizard." Ginny said as she moved over closer to Harry.

"Karkaroff." Ron supplied in answer.

"Igor Karkaroff. The Death Eater that gave up names of other Death Eaters to free himself? I don't see that being likely Ron. I mean with a death sentence hanging over his head he isn't going to draw attention to himself. There are several Death Eaters still free out there that would love to take him out." Ginny clarified.

"I've had enough of this for one night. I don't mean to be rude but I'd really like to get some rest and hopefully not stress on who put my name in the Goblet of Fire this time around on top of the tournament. I may not know what to expect this time. So much is different this time…I'm not going to expect the Tournament to be exactly the same. The tasks might be of a different sort…I don't want to think about it. Not right now anyway."

"Harry's right. This is a lot to take in. Soon enough I'm sure we will find out what it is in store for the champions." Hermione added in hopes that they'd leave. She had a feeling that there was something on Harry's mind and did not want to say it with everyone there.

"We should all go and let these two rest up. You would be surprised at how taxing talking can be at times. Especially with what we have been talking about." Ginny said doing her best to be helpful as she also felt that there was something Harry was thinking about but didn't want to say with every one there.

"Not all at once. Dudley and Draco need to use extra caution. Those of you in Gryffindor won't get into trouble or at least not much since you only have to go next door…not even around the corner. Hell you can all can use the convenient floo from here. Now that I think about it the only ones that can't are Dudley and Draco." Mercedes said, speaking for the first time.

Draco looked over where the Ravenclaw sat and could swear there was something different about her, possibly even familiar. Draco quickly shook that thought out of his head. He was hoping to find his sister but he knew that it couldn't be that easy but yet there was pull he felt towards her in the short time that he'd known Mercedes or well her existence and that made him feel something or a way that he had not ever felt or allowed himself to feel. Again Draco did his best to clear his thoughts from going astray.

Most of the group had left through the floo leaving Harry, Hermione, Dudley and Draco in the temporary room.

"I really don't know what to do to help the two of you. I was thinking that I could disillusion both of you…but that would use magic and I am sure that Madam Pomfrey would have me restrained in the Hospital wing."

"It won't be necessary for you to do anything of the sort, recovering or not, Harry."

"Sorry, Draco, I should have known and realized that you'd be able to disillusion yourself as well as Dudley."

"I think I can let I slide this time since you are recovering." Draco said with a small smirk on his face so that the others in the room would know that he was just joking.

Harry and Hermione smiled and chuckled at Draco's joking.

"Spill it Harry." Hermione said once Draco and Dudley had left their room.

"Spill what?"

"Don't you play dumb with me. I know that there is something going on in that mind of yours and I have a feeling that you might have an idea as to who could have put your name in the Goblet of Fire."

"You're right. I have my reasons for not saying anything when everyone was here. Particularly with Draco here."

"What you think that maybe his father put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"No. The few times that Lucius Malfoy had been seen on grounds…when I checked the Marauders Map Lucius Malfoy was nowhere to be seen. Instead there was this Ammon Velius and I am starting to wonder if he is the one to have put my name in the Goblet of Fire. I didn't want to say anything in front of Draco because well, it just doesn't add up. l mean Lucius Malfoy is supposed on grounds by the time I check the Map there is no way that Lucius could have left already unless of course Lucius is visiting the Room of Requirement. Instead of seeing Lucius on the mat it's this other person."

"Harry…"

"Hermione don't. Please don't try to link this all the way around. At least not right now maybe when were both back to our normal selves. I do not want to risk Madam Pomfrey putting one or both of us back in the infirmary."

"Good point. Though I really don't feel tired in the slightest I'm still going to my room. If I fall asleep then I need it. You should do the same Harry."

"I know it will help speed up the recovery process." Harry stated as Hermione left their little common room.

Harry did not waste much time and headed off to his room as well. He completely agreed with Hermione. Though they might not know it or realize it they could very well need sleep and even if they didn't need it resting peacefully would indeed speed up the healing process.

It did not take long and both Gryffindor's were fast asleep.

Early the following morning Madam Pomfrey stepped through the floo in the temporary room. She peaked in on her patients at seeing that they were still asleep she left them alone. Before leaving though she left them a note to notify her once they were both awake so that she could examine them.

As lunch time approached Madam Pomfrey became worried since she had not heard from Harry and Hermione. Madam Pomfrey quickly stopped by the kitchens and requested that some food be brought to Harry and Hermione and then went straight to them.

Madam Pomfrey wanted to use the floo to get to them as it would be the quickest way to get there but if they had just slept in she did not want to startle them. It would not do either of them good to be startled so she instead flooed to the Gryffindor Common and then walked around to the temporary room.

After giving the password she stepped through the door to find both students just leaving their rooms. Though both appeared to be groggy, they seemed better than the last time she'd seen them.

"Good after noon." Madam Pomfrey said after clearing her throat alerting them to her presence.

"Good after noon." Harry and Hermione mumbled out.

"Food will arrive shortly. How did you sleep? And yes I want an answer from both of you."

"Alright I suppose. Though I had not meant to sleep that long." Hermione replied.

"Just fine. Though, I must say that I would be feeling much better if I had not slept quite as long."

"Well obviously your bodies needed the sleep. Now , it won't take long I just need to do the diagnostic spell on each of you again. As long as you are on opposite ends of the room of each other I can do the diagnostic spell on you out here unless you both would rather I do this in your respective rooms."

"Out here is fine with me." Harry said as he moved to the other end of their common room.

"I'm fine with it out here as well."

"Very well. Miss. Granger since you are closets to me I'll start with you. First off, do you feel that you could handle this standing up?"

"I'll stand thank you." Hermione said with sleep still in her voice.

Once Madam Pomfrey finished with Hermione, the nurse moved over to Harry. Harry also preferred to stand.

"So, how are we doing Madam Pomfrey?" Harry asked.

"I'd say much better but I am not yet releasing either of you. Next week we shall see you both are doing. This week though, I want both of you to take one meal a day in the Great Hall. You both get to discuss and agree which meal of the day you want to have in the Great Hall. If you agree to the meal being lunch then every day you will have lunch in the Great Hall. I suggest though that you decide either breakfast or dinner to be the meal. If you feel up to going to the Great Hall tonight for dinner then the rest of the week it will be dinner."

"Yes Madam Pomfrey." Both agreed.

"Madam Pomfrey, I have a question. I haven't used any magic…"

"It should be alright if you, Mr. Potter, were to perform some magic. Nothing more advanced than third year allows."

"Thank you."

Madam Pomfrey gave Harry a nod in thanks. As Madam Pomfrey left, Dobby appeared with quite a spread for them. Dobby did not stay long. Harry and Hermione ate in silence and once they'd had their fill Harry placed a basic stasis charm on the left over food. The charm Harry used would keep the food at a safe temperature. This way they'd be able to nibble here and there as the rest of the day went on.

"So, Harry are we going to start tonight and go to the Great Hall for dinner?"

"I was thinking maybe start tomorrow with breakfast. This way when Madam Pomfrey checks on us next Saturday and she determines that we can add another meal…"

"Agreed. Harry, what if…"

"Let's not think about two Saturday's from now. I'm sure Madam Pomfrey wouldn't have us take all three meals at once with it only have been three weeks out of the infirmary."

"I should have known that."

"Hermione, it is okay. Let it go. You can't afford to stress over this. Look, it is understandable you are not one-hundred percent right now and it will take time for you to get back to that."

"You're right. It's hard though."

"I'm sure it is Hermione. There should have been something in the book about preparation for doing what you did."

"Um…there probably is…"

"You were consumed with helping me so therefore you didn't look for any preparation that you would possible need before…"

"Exactly. I don't regret doing what I did, even though the cost is not worth it. Merlin…that sounds like a contradiction or at least bordering on contradicting myself."

"I don't think so. My reasoning is this: if you had the opportunity to go back in time you'd be more prepared when it the time came to help. You would have done all the preparation's necessary for yourself and insisted that Dudley and Aunt Petunia do some of the preparations beforehand."

"With that I think I will have an easier time letting it go."

"Good. Now, since we don't have anything to do really…"

"The next set of assignments?"

"Why not, I mean we don't have anything else to do."

"The thing that sucks the most for me right now is that sure we are getting the theory just fine but the practical part."

"Hermione…"

"Wait until it's time to cross that bridge."

"Exactly, we are better keeping our focus on what we can do and not what we can't do as of yet."

Hermione thought about that for a bit and could see the logic and the smarts in what Harry had said.

After a few minutes passed they finally changed out of their night clothes and began their next assignments or at least what they were allowed to do at the present time. As they worked they nibbled at the leftover food until it was gone. They were so wrapped up in their assignments for the following week that they were unaware of dinner being brought to their room. A good thirty minutes passed before they noticed that their dinner had been brought to them and aware that one of their Professor's was in the room as well.

"Mr. Potter and Miss. Granger are either of you going to eat?" Professor Snape asked with as much annoyance he could muster, though it did not fool the two Gryffindor's.

"Professor." Hermione managed to say once she recovered from being startled.

"We intend to eat our dinner, we just were otherwise preoccupied and didn't realize that…"

"Obviously neither of you realized. I've been standing here for a good thirty minutes."

"You brought us our dinner?" Hermione said unable to mask her surprise.

"That I did Miss. Granger. Madam Pomfrey badgered me to bring dinner to the both of you. It seems that she's trying to not…coddle the two of you. And, even though Dobby is more than…happy…to bring you your meals, Madam Pomfrey feels that it would be appropriate to let the poor elf have a break. As thoughtful as it was of her, the elf is rather depressed."

Hermione and Harry exchanged a brief glance at each other, they were not fooled that Professor Snape had only brought them their dinner because the school Nurse badgered him. In fact they didn't really believe that he had been badgered into it at but understood why the façade.

"Thank you, sir, for bringing us our dinner even more so since you were badgered into it." Hermione said sweetly…a bit too sweetly.

"Are you supposed to remain to ensure that we do eat dinner?" Harry asked since their Professor remained.

"Unfortunately Mr. Potter."

"You don't have to remain sir, if you don't want to. Harry and I will even promise to eat as much as we can."

"How…considerate of you Miss. Granger but…"

"Who would tell Madam Pomfrey otherwise?" Harry asked.

"Madam Pomfrey seems to have the ability to know things." Snape said snarkier than usual.

"She must have learned it from Dumbledore." Harry muttered softly, but not as softly as he had thought.

Snape's only indication that he had heard Harry was the slight smile on the Professor's face. It could not be describe as a smirk since it was obvious that is was more than a smirk but not quite a smile.

It was strange for the two to eat while being watched so closely. Being only three people in one small room was most definitely different than having a meal in the Great Hall, if they were being watched closely by anyone they would not be aware of it with so many there. Between the snaking on the leftovers from earlier and the nervousness/stress from having their Potions Professor standing their watching them they were unable to eat much. Both stopped eating and pushed their plate away, fearing that they'd end up sick and that would not be a good report back to the school nurse.

"Not eating much, I see."

"It's not what it looks like, sir. We had a big lunch of sorts. Apparently we were more tired than we thought last night after our friends left and woke up late. Madam Pomfrey walked in as we left our rooms. The amount of food she had brought us was enough to feed a quarter of the school I think. Harry and I ate as much as we could once she left. It seems that Harry and I mindlessly finished off the rest while we were working on our assignments for next week. I do not know if we will finish the rest of it before we retire for the night but I can guarantee that we will eat more before the night is over."

"And how, Miss. Granger would the two of you be able to keep the food at the right temperature?"

"A basic stasis charm." Hermione said leaving out 'of course'.

"I am not aware that you are allowed to…"

"Sorry, sir, for interrupting you but I am not the one that placed the charm on the food. Harry did, Madam Pomfrey said that it would be alright. She told Harry that as long as it wasn't anything more than what a third year is allowed that Harry can use magic."

"I see. Well, I will let the two of you get back to…you're already working on next week's assignments?"

"What else are we to do with all this extra time, sir? One can only spend so much time resting and relaxing before it starts to drive one nuts. Although tomorrow we will be at breakfast in the Great Hall…Madam Pomfrey told us earlier that we can start having one meal a day in the Great Hall…"

"Even with what you have been through Miss. Granger you still manage to give the long explanations."

"That's me." Hermione said softly.

"Miss. Granger my intentions were not to insult you in any way. I am merely surprised and possibly impressed. I am well aware of how bad your condition was when you were in the infirmary."

"Oh." Hermione said softly but not as softly as she had spoken moments ago and a faint blush tinted her pale cheeks.

"Well, I will leave the two of to your continued rest and relaxation…though I do suggest that you take small breaks from all the rest and relaxation."

"What the hell was that?" Harry asked once Professor Snape had left the room.

"Believe it or not Harry, but I do believe that our Potions Professor was showing a slightly humorous side. Harry, he only remarked on the rest and relaxation because of what I had side previously…before it starts to drive one nuts…"

"Now that I think about it…with him suggesting that we take small breaks from the rest and relaxation…"

"So we don't go nuts." Hermione finished.

"Huh? So much is different. This is almost weird. Although I bet it has to do with the portrait of my mother."

"That's a…possibility Harry."

"Okay I'm going to finish this assignment before I go to bed. The last thing I want is to have the odd way our Professor has acted tonight to be on my mind while I sleep."

"One other thing Harry…add in the fact of what has happened since the incident during Care of Magical Creatures…Snape yelling at me in class…and so on."

"True…"

"Okay, okay…no more talk about the subject…tonight anyway." Hermione said quickly before going back to what she had been working on earlier before the interruption from their Potions Professor.

"I appreciate it Hermione."

As they finished up the assignment they had been working and part way through the next they as before finished off the leftovers. Almost an hour after finishing the food the two retried to their respective rooms. They were after all going to breakfast in the Great Hall the next day.

Surprisingly to both Harry and Hermione they woke up early in the morning. After each had showered and dressed they sat on their little couch for a few moments before making the journey to the Great Hall.

"I think we should head down now."

"I agree Hermione. With any luck we'll get there when only half the school has begun their breakfast."

"Funny Harry."

"I'm not trying to be funny. I'm serious."

"It's Sunday Harry no one is going to be there aside from staff."

"Okay, once we get there half the student body will be right behind us."

"That sounds more likely than the first thing you said."

"I guess we should get going then. We should and need to take it easy, I mean look how much it took out of us to even get here from the infirmary. I do realize that the Great Hall is a bit closer but we've been in here…"

"I got the point oddly enough." Hermione said sarcastically with a smile on her face.

Harry responded by standing up. Hermione followed suit and they made their way to the Great Hall. They were walking at slow pace, not wanting to wear themselves or at least no wanting to wear out what Hermione had gained since leaving the infirmary.

"Harry, I'm just slowing you down. You go on ahead I'll catch up eventually."

"Not happening. You know very well that I should be back to classes and the only reason why I'm not is because the nurse doesn't want you to be alone while you continue to get better."

"I know but I still had to try."

"I suppose. Hermione is it me or does it seem as though the rest of the school stayed up way to late last night or that possibly our clocks and watches are off by a lot?"

"I don't know. It is awfully quiet. I mean we should have at least spotted other students by now if not been run over by them, so to speak. Your possibilities don't seem likely but right now nothing makes sense."

"If we are unable to get into the Great Hall the only thing I can come up with is that we somehow stepped into an episode of the Twilight Zone."

Hermione chuckled as she shook her head.

Before they knew it they found themselves in front of the double doors to the Great Hall. They stood there for a moment, neither wanting to try the doors to see if at least one of the doors would open. It was strange that the doors were even closed when normally they were open by this hour. After a few minutes of staring at the doors Harry took a breath and reached out for the door. He closed his had around the handle and pulled. Harry released the breath he had been holding, obviously relieved that the door opened.

Though both were relieved that the door opened they were a bit nervous as to what they may or may not find inside. Once they actually walked into the Great Hall they could see that about a quarter of the student body was inside eating. A quick glance at the Head Table revealed that all staff was present, all those that usually were present for meals were there that is. To their temporary surprise there was one extra staff member present, none other than Professor Snape this gave the two a momentary pause.

"Hermione, you know the only reason why he's here this morning is because you told him that we would at breakfast." Harry whispered soft enough that only Hermione could hear him.

"You think so." Hermione replied just as softly as they begun to walk again.

"Yes I do. Come on Hermione, when has Professor Snape ever been present for any meals on the weekends?"

"Well, until today…never."

"What else could it be?"

"Dumbledore put his foot and insisted that he show for a meal over the weekend."

"Hermione…"

"Okay, so…but…"

"Not that he'd ever admit it, but he had to see with his own eyes how we have fared on the first day back to at least one meal a day in the Great Hall for this week."

"I suppose you're right." Hermione conceeded to defeat as they took their usual spots at the Gryffindor Table.

As food appeared along the table, as well as, a plate of food in front of each the creaking of the double doors opening to allow the majority of the remaining student body to enter with ease. Neither looked towards the doors and kept their eyes on their plates while they ate.

It did not take long for the chatter abruptly stopped leaving silence in its place. Harry and Hermione shifted their eyes towards the entrance of the Great Hall. Soft whispering began but neither could hear what it was exactly. They noticed certain classmates comprehend that they were indeed out of their temporary quarters. Fred, George, Ron, Ginny and Neville smiled and began to make their way over to the two at the table. Violet and Mercedes looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and followed the small group Gryffindor's heading towards Harry and Hermione. It went unnoticed to all except for Harry and Hermione, Draco and Dudley moved a fraction of space as though to head over as well and then thought better of it and moved on to the Slytherin table.

Harry and Hermione shifted their eyes back to their plates. Seconds later they were joined by most of their friends.

"Madam Pomfrey finally let the two of you out?" Ron asked.

"Only for breakfast." Harry vaguely replied.

"We're allowed to have one meal a day all week here. Harry and I chose breakfast. Madam Pomfrey is slowly bringing us back to regular activities."

"What about returning to classes?"

"Since when, Ron, do you wonder about classes?"

"Just wondering is all, Hermione."

"Ron just admit it. You're not doing so well with your assignments with Hermione and Harry both out of classes." Ginny piped up.

"Ronald Weasley…"

"What?"

"I won't always be around you know. It would be nice if you would not take me for granted. Do not get me wrong, I have no problem with helping my friends…"

"Hermione I've…I just…I try, really I have been trying…it's just…"

"It's just what?"

"With what happened to Harry and you…I haven't…it hasn't been easy concentrating. I am not and do not take you for granted Hermione and I know you won't always be around…I mean it's not like we'd have the same career."

"Sorry for…"

"No need to apologize. I can see and understand how it could have come across…"

"I came to the wrong conclusion…I just assumed…I'm sorry for that. I should have realized…"

"If we ask Madam Pomfrey, she might allow a small group…or she might give us the okay to once a week spend time in the Gryffindor common room as long as we are actually studying and not goofing off."

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask her. I just don't want to push it with her. I mean you know she's just looking for a reason to at least put me back in the infirmary."


A/N: (December, 13 2011) I need some help…I am at a loss for what Snape can do to make it up to Hermione. I had a few ideas but unfortunately I cannot find the piece of paper that I wrote them down on. I do have something in mind that I might be using, but I'm not sure. I would appreciate your suggestions on this and will consider the suggestions. Depending on how many I receive I will see if I can work them all in. Regardless as to how many I end up using each will be given appropriate credit for his or her suggestion that I use. (By the 20th I will have decided on which suggestions I will use if not at all.)

BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY THERE MIGHT NOT BE MUCH FROM ME. I EXPECT TO BE A GREAT AUNT ANY DAY NOW AND I AM ON ALERT…MIGHT HAVE TO HELP OUT MY SISTER DEPENDING ON WHEN MY GREAT NEPHEW IS BORN.

SORRY THIS CHAPTER I SO SHORT BUT I WANTED TO GET IT POSTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THERE IS MORE IN THE WORKS AND WITH THE SUGGESTIONS IT WILL HELP A GREAT DEAL TO GET THIS STORY MOVING AGAIN.

One last thing… I have noticed that I have writing 'Great Hall' instead of I believe 'Dinning Hall' as I had been in the beginning…lol…