We go back into the Triwizard Tournament.

SUSAN IV

Susan succeeded to transform her ferret into a feather duster. And although the fur kept moving from time to time, the transfiguration was quite good. Hannah's result, next to her, was not as successful. Instead of a handle, the head of the ferret was still there. When the bell rang, McGonagall ordered them to place the result of their transformations into a box she installed in front of her desk. Susan was about to head forward to dispose of her duster, when she noticed that Hannah wasn't moving.

It didn't take long for Susan to understand why. Ron was among the students who rushed first to get rid of whatever they had produced, in his case a hairy wooden handle. Susan thought he noticed the angry glare Hannah was throwing at him, for he quickly looked away and headed back to his place. Only then did Hannah headed for the box, Susan following her.

"That's a fine transformation, Hannah," Hermione said as she approached at the same time of the box. She said that very kindly. Too kindly. All she got for that was another angry glare from Susan's best friend. Susan tried to convey with her face to Hermione that she was sorry. They headed back to their desks to recover their bags, crossing Harry who just left his desk on their way. Susan offered him a weak smile. She wished the whole situation was better, simpler, easier.

"Potter, wait. I have something to tell you," Susan heard McGonagall say behind her back. She looked at their Transfiguration teacher as she packed her bag and headed towards the exit with Hannah.

Once out they came face to face with Ron. He and Hannah threw at each other looks that were anything but kind. Hermione got out not long after.

"I'm starving," she said, not sounding convincing at all. "Let's go."

"But Harry is still…" Ron began to protest.

"Let's go, Ron!"

At Hermione's snap and grab of his arm, Ron stopped protesting, forced to follow her.

"Maybe I should have treated him like this," Hannah said, bitter. "You come?"

Susan was about to, but she refrained at the last minute. Harry was still inside the classroom and would come out soon. "I will… I wanted to…"

"Fine. Wait for your boyfriend. Ronald Weasley's best friend," Hannah said. And then she left, sounding insulted.

Susan let her shoulders fall in despair. She wished that things were not so complicated. The situation had calmed down for the first time since Rita Skeeter published her stupid article about a supposed love triangle between Harry, Hermione and Viktor Krum. Hermione told her that Krum behaved way better with Harry since the Quidditch match, and that Harry made him understand very clearly that Hermione was not and had never been his girlfriend. Rumors about them calmed down, and Susan found that she was slowly recovering her private life after the excitement everyone seemed to feel when learning she was dating Harry. But then, last week, in the middle of dinner, a huge argument had broken out between Ron and Hannah in the Great Hall. Susan found it stupid. It had started over something insignificant, with Hannah accusing Ron of not listening to her, to which Ron retorted that she was always blabbering and making his ears numb with all the stupid things she said all the time. Somehow, it escalated, with both of them throwing insults and his flaws at the other, until finally Hannah wondered aloud.

"If I'm so unsufferable to you, then I wonder why I'm with you!" she had shouted.

"Yeah. I'm asking myself the same question!" Ron had retorted.

"Fine. It's over then!"

"Very well. Good riddance!"

And it had been over like that. Truth be told, Susan had somehow felt it coming. After the initial bliss following the second task, Susan had quickly noticed how Hannah began to be displeased with some minor details about Ron. The boy started to ignore her more and more often, finding excuses to not spend time with her. Susan had not dared to talk about it to Harry. Ron was one of his best friends, after all. She didn't want to involve him in all that. Sadly, he found himself involved against his will when Ron and Hannah made a very public and loud breakup.

Susan wished this had never happened. She found herself stuck between two people. Not that Harry was angry at her or Hannah, far from it. In fact, the following day, he approached Susan while in Herbology and apologized for what happened yesterday. Susan remembered what she told him back then.

"You don't need to apologize, Harry. It's Ron who made a scene in the Great Hall, and he's the one who broke up with my best friend, not you. I don't blame you. Only, don't expect me to spend time with you when Ron is around. I'll be giving him a cold shoulder for quite some time, I think."

Today, Susan hoped that Harry didn't understand it the wrong way. She feared that Harry thought she actually didn't want to be anywhere near him anymore, when she was only trying to tell him it was better for her to avoid Ron for now. As a result, they barely exchanged a few words over the week that just finished. That was why Susan wanted to wait for him at the exit of the Transfiguration class.

Harry came out after a moment, and he seemed almost surprised to find her waiting for him.

"I got rid of Hannah for once."

"Ah." He nodded. "Well, let's go." And they walked together towards the Great Hall. "How is she?" he asked.

"Fine enough, I guess. But still angry. But… why did McGonagall ask you to stay?"

"Oh. It was only to tell me to go to the Quidditch pitch at nine o'clock. Apparently, they're going to tell us what the third task will be."

"Really?" Susan was surprised, but pleasantly surprised. "That's good. This time, you'll know in advance what it will be."

"Yes," he acknowledged. "I'm not sure though what it will be. After the dragons and the Black Lake, I don't think they can surprise us again."

"I wish," Susan said on a low tone. The truth was that she wasn't sure about anything when it came to that tournament. Truth be told, she would like this tournament to be over. Harry truly put his life in danger in both tasks so far. "I'll be there this time. I will not miss it like before."

"You didn't really miss it last time. You were even part of the task," Harry said with a smile.

"I know, but this time… I'll be in the audience. For real." She wouldn't skip it like she did in the first task.

"Thank you. As long as the audience is not at the bottom of the lake, it should do."

Susan grimaced. Harry might find it funny to a certain extent, she didn't wish for him to uselessly risk his life again to save her when she was never in danger.

"You must go to the stadium at nine o'clock?" she asked him.

"Yes," he replied.

"Would you mind spending the evening with me before?" They didn't spend much time together lately. "We can go in the park to study. The weather is so good today. And I think I need some fresh air."

"Of course," he said, smiling.

They went different ways once in the Great Hall to eat at their respective tables. Susan's mood had improved. Spending time with Hannah lately had not been very joyful. She guessed this was what happened when you broke up with someone. Her best friend was engaged in a discussion with Sally when Susan sat down for dinner.

"I don't think I'll manage in Transfiguration. It's so hard this year," Sally said, worried.

"Just study. You'll make it," Hannah said.

"But McGonagall is becoming more demanding every day. How will I get my O.W.L. next year?"

"Not to mention Potions or Defence Against the Dark Arts. Let's hope that Professor Moody's successor will be more lenient."

"What do you mean, successor?"

"Well, we have a new teacher in this subject every year. Even Lupin couldn't stay longer, despite being the most popular teacher."

Susan almost wanted to remind Hannah that she was responsible for Professor Lupin's departure, but she chose to say nothing. The truth was that Susan was also responsible for this, and Hannah was going through a rough moment right now. Still, Susan hoped that Professor Moody would stay longer. He was very demanding, crude, and his lessons were an ordeal to go through, but he was just as competent, if not more than Lupin. Her aunt only had good words for him.

Susan went through her dinner relatively quickly, then headed out to wait in the Great Hall. Harry joined her moments later, looking bothered.

"What's going on?" Susan asked.

"Ron and Hermione," he said. He didn't need to say more.

"Again?"

The arguments and disputes between those two had become legendary, even in Hufflepuff. Susan shook her head in consternation.

"Why not go near the lake?" she proposed.

"As long as you don't go to the bottom of it," Harry said.

She rolled her eyes. "As if I would willingly go there again."

"I hope. You made a promise, remember?"

It didn't take long for Susan to remember what promise he was talking about. That brought very good memories indeed, making her smile. "Remember that you made one as well. Verify that I'm really in danger the next time," she said playfully.

They headed towards the outside, both chuckling. They headed for a beech tree near the lake and settled there. As Susan dropped her bag, she felt Harry seizing her by the shoulder and kissing her lengthily on the cheek. Slowly, giggling, something Susan seldom did, she turned around, and kissed him full on the lips. She didn't know for how long they remained that way. She felt good, warm like this, but eventually, she broke it, leaning her forehead against his.

"We've got to study. I'm not exempt from exams," she said, smiling.

Harry chuckled. "Okay."

They sat down. Susan ended up reading something for Arithmancy that Professor Vector gave them to finish by next week. She still leaned her back against Harry's side, her head leaning against his shoulder. She felt comfortable that way.

The evening was beautiful. Days were getting longer at the end of this month of May, and they were warm as well. Susan and Harry enjoyed the sunlight. They both advanced in their homework and reading, though to be honest, that wasn't all they did. From time to time, Harry would turn his head and breath into her hair, causing her to smile each time. Sometimes, she leaned her head further until she looked at him from below and they could exchange a short kiss. Finally, she got some good time with him.

She thought of Hannah at some point, and how things had gone terribly with Ron. Well, not so terribly, but their relationship ended very poorly. She hoped that things would never get that ugly with Harry. She didn't see how it could come to that. Even before they started dating, they got along quite well. Still, the scene from last week caused her some turmoil.

Sunlight slowly receded, taking a more orange shade as the day advanced. Light diminished, and as they went past eight o'clock, Susan cast a lightning charm to be able to keep working. They both kept working further afterwards. Susan was completing an exercise in Arithmancy, almost getting done with the homework, when a voice came their way.

"Harry? Is that you?"

Cedric was heading in their direction. The sun was only visible on the horizon by now.

"Yes," Harry replied.

"You're coming to the pitch? I'm heading there."

"It's already so late?" Harry looked at his watch and looked surprised. "Oh. I better go there."

"Yeah," Cedric confirmed. He turned his attention to Susan. "Does it bother you if I borrow your boyfriend for a moment?" he asked jokingly.

"Not at all. I'll enjoy him more than enough when he comes back," she replied with a smile. "I'll be waiting for you," she added for Harry.

"Okay."

And Harry headed towards the pitch with Cedric. Susan heard their conversation as they slowly walked away from her.

"What do you reckon it's going to be?" Cedric asked.

"No idea," her boyfriend replied.

"Fleur keeps going on about underground tunnels. She reckons we've got to find a treasure."

Underground tunnels? Well, Susan thought this might not be a stupid idea. After all, they already organized a task in the air, with dragons, and another one deep at the bottom of the Black Lake. Perhaps having one underground was the next logical step. As long as the treasure to find would not be the champions' loved ones. After the undersea, Susan had no envy to find herself prisoner underground.

Susan tried to continue to work while Harry was gone. He came back maybe fifteen minutes later, heading towards her as Cedric was heading back to the castle. She stood up to put back her things into her bag. It was time to head back to their common rooms. It was already very late to be out. Harry had an excuse, but Susan wasn't sure she would have one.

"Fleur says hello," Harry told her as she gave him his bag.

"Oh. It's kind of her," Susan replied.

Ever since Susan emerged from the Black Lake with her little sister, Fleur Delacour had behaved much better around Susan. In fact, her general behavior seemed to have improved significantly. Susan couldn't remember the last time she heard the French champion making a negative comment on anything or anyone since her sister came back from the bottom of the frozen lake. That was quite an improvement, and Susan was relieved she no longer had to support hearing those insults in French. She had to admit that her personal opinion of Fleur also improved. She guessed that was what happened when you saw her care for her little sister. She had to admit that before the second task, Susan never would have imagined Fleur Delacour having a little sister or behaving well with someone who wasn't a boy she tried to seduce. Still, Susan wouldn't really consider her as a friend.

"Was she right about the treasure and tunnels?" Susan further asked.

"Well… she wasn't totally wrong," Harry said carefully. "In fact, we're going to have to find the Triwizard Cup at the center of a maze."

"That's all?" Susan asked, surprised, as they headed towards the castle. Well, if the third task was only that, it would certainly be the safest of all tasks.

"They're going to place obstacles and challenges in the maze. Including Hagrid's creatures."

Considering what she heard about his lessons of Care of Magical Creatures, Susan guessed the third task would after all be dangerous.

"What do you think you will do to prepare?" she asked him.

"Not sure. Learn some new spells, curses and jinxes. My godfather gave me a few ideas last month."

Susan remembered him. They met the day after the Quidditch match. Susan had gotten up early to visit Harry in the infirmary, hoping he would have regained consciousness. Lucky for both of them, he had regained consciousness. Less lucky, his godfather had surprised them together just as she kissed him. Harry had then embarrassingly told his godfather that he and Susan had been dating since January. That earned him a not very convincing nor serious scold from his godfather Sirius, who said that although Harry had a good reason for not telling his mother, he should have told his favourite godfather a long time ago.

Susan didn't blame Harry for not telling his family about them. After all, even after four months of relationship, she hadn't dared to tell her own family either. Neither her parents nor her aunt were aware about what was going on between her and Harry.

They arrived in the Entrance Hall.

"Have a good night, Susan," Harry told her.

"Hey." She stopped him by grabbing his arm. This time, it was she who kissed him. "Good night, Harry."

And she headed for the Hufflepuff common room. This day had ended quite well finally.

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Next chapter: Harry