Hermione begins to deal with two friends not wanting to talk with each other.

HERMIONE XI

She looked at Ron walking away. His steps were heavy and furious, but she also noticed how his shoulders were sunken down. Ron was obviously angry, but also sad. These were the same feelings Hermione had for Ron right now. It was stupid from him to behave like this. He knew very well that Harry didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire. At the same time, Hermione knew Ron well enough to understand what he was going through. Ron told her a few times how he felt invisible, in the shadows when Harry was around. He felt that he was left behind again, and he threw his frustration at Harry. This was really not the good time for this to happen. Hermione already felt that Harry would need both her and Ron.

"What's going on with Ron?" Susan asked. Her friend of Hufflepuff was still standing and also looking at Ron as he walked away, an expression between incredulity and concern on her face.

"Friend matters," Hermione said. "But come on, Susan. Sit down."

Her friend hesitated for a moment, looking around, both at the other students of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff nearby, but her features hardened, and she finally sat down in front of Hermione.

"What's going on, Hermione?" she repeated. "What happened yesterday?"

"Well, Harry's name came out of the Goblet of Fire," Hermione stated, saying an evidence that everyone in Hogwarts was already aware of.

"But… how did it happen?"

"I don't know," Hermione said, her voice sounding a little tired. She yawned.

She had a hard time sleeping yesterday, wondering how this could happen, asking herself a thousand questions to understand how Harry's name ended up in the Goblet of Fire and how it came out when three champions had already been chosen. Hermione even thought about going to the boys' dormitory to discuss it with them, but she knew that people would see her climb up the stairs, and she didn't think it was a good idea.

"But Harry says that he didn't put his name in the Goblet, and I believe him," Hermione resumed. "There's no way he could have gone through the Age Line Dumbledore drew. And you should have seen his reaction when his name came out. I was sitting right next to him. He was just as surprised and confused as everyone else. I had to push him so he would stand up when Dumbledore called him forward."

"That's alright, Hermione," Susan said. "I believe you. I wasn't sitting next to Harry, but I was in front of you at the Hufflepuff table. I saw him me too. I might not know Harry as well as you do, but he didn't have the expression of someone who was happy that his name came out."

Hermione nodded. "I don't know who put his name though."

"What I fail to understand is… how can we have four names coming out? I thought there were only three champions, one per school. And Cedric's name had already come out. I don't remember that there was any edition of the Tournament when there were more than three champions. Do you know if there was?"

"Not to my knowledge." In all her readings, Hermione never came across any mention of the Triwizard Tournament having more or less than three champions. Perhaps this was something she should look into. She wrote a note in her mind to search the library about it.

"Well, Hermione… Tell Harry to be careful. Let's just say… Many people in my house are not happy that he gets to the champion of Hogwarts along with Cedric."

"I'm not really happy about it me neither, Susan. And I don't believe Harry is any happier about it."

"Yes, but… That's entirely different. Most other students in my house are angry with him. They believe he somehow managed to make his way into the Tournament. After we came back to our common room and before Cedric entered it, one of the portraits came to tell us that Dumbledore decided to let Harry compete in the Tournament. And… everyone was pretty angry with this."

Hermione sighed. It was to be expected, she guessed. The other champion was from Hufflepuff, and the house seldom had a chance to shine. It was clear from the exchange of insults that took place last night before the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were separated that things would go wrong.

"Yes, I know," Hermione replied. "Violet came to visit us too. But… Perhaps Dumbledore will find a way. I mean, I can't see him wanting to have Harry compete in the Tournament," Hermione said, a faint hope remaining in her heart.

"I don't think he'll be able to do much. Look." Susan put a letter in front of Hermione. "Read it. It comes from my aunt. I wrote to her last night when I arrived in my common room. Her reply just came in."

Hermione decided to read it, since Susan gave her authorization. Otherwise, she would have been uncomfortable reading someone else's letters.

My dear niece,

Like you know, I cannot tell you the discussions I have as part of my work with the Ministry of Magic. But I know what happened at Hogwarts last night. What I can tell you is that the Goblet of Fire creates a binding magical contract between all the people whose name come out of it. This means that Harry Potter must participate to the Triwizard Tournament. I wish I could be of more help, but we are talking about a very ancient and powerful magical object. Furthermore, the Triwizard Tournament is not under my responsibility. Mr Crouch and Mr Bagman must take care of this problem.

I'm encouraging you to be very careful, Susan. This Tournament is a dangerous competition that is not to take lightly. And what happened last night has me worried.

Stay safe.

Your auntie

"So… Harry is really forced to compete in the Tournament?" Hermione concluded at the reading of this letter.

"Just like Krum, Cedric and Fleur," Susan confirmed. "I wish she gave me better news."

Hermione's heart sank. She had hoped that maybe there was a way to get Harry out of this competition. People had died in the past. And Harry was much younger than the other champions. Even with everything they all went through, she was afraid he might not survive those tasks. And this time, he couldn't rely on any help. In the past, Ron and Hermione had been there to help him, and his mother, Dumbledore and others as well. This time, he would really be alone to face all these dangers, whatever they were.

"Have you seen Harry this morning?" Susan asked Hermione.

"No. I guess he's still in bed. I don't blame him."

Susan nodded. She didn't seem to be blaming him either. "Well, as I said, tell him to be careful. And… I'm sorry."

"Yes. I think we all are."

At this moment, another girl wearing an uniform with the colors of Hufflepuff came behind Susan and stopped there, looking at Susan then to Hermione. "What are you doing with her, Susan?"

Hermione didn't really like the tone behind Hannah's words, but she decided to remain silent. Anyway, Susan was the one to answer. She first closed her eyes and reopened them, before turning to Hannah. "I'm talking with a friend, Hannah," Susan said softly.

Hannah looked at Hermione. Somehow, her expression was less hostile than initially, as if she just realized Hermione was there. "Oh, well… Sorry. Come when you can."

Hannah Abbott continued on her path, Susan looking at her back.

"You may go, Susan," Hermione told her.

"No, that's fine," her friend assured.

"I'm going to the Tower of Gryffindor," Hermione said. "I've got to see Harry, anyway."

"Oh. Okay." Susan stood up as Hermione was gathering toasts in a napkin. "Hey… Wish good luck to Harry… And tell him…"

"To be careful," Hermione completed. "I know."

Susan left after another nod to join the other Hufflepuffs, and Hermione walked out of the Great Hall, heading towards the Gryffindor common room. On her way, she crossed the path of many students from almost all houses. All spoke about yesterday's events, with varying feelings. However, she noticed how everyone seemed to think that Harry put his name into the Goblet of Fire, and aside from other Gryffindors, no one seemed enthralled by the idea of Harry competing, and they almost all looked angry at him. Hermione stepped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Had a nice breakfast?" the portrait asked.

"Balder…"

But before she could give the full password, the portrait opened, giving way to Harry who stopped in front of her. He looked utterly miserable.

"Hello," she told him. She showed him the pile of toasts "I brought you this… Want to go for a walk?"

"Good idea," he said, relief plain in his voice.

As they made their journey through the corridors and down to the lake outside, Harry told her what happened after his name got out of the Goblet, from the discussion between the headmasters and other adults to his dispute with Ron, while taking mouthfuls of toasts. At the end, he asked her a stupid question.

"Do you believe me?"

Despite the absurdity of the question, she answered quietly, knowing her friend was definitely not going through an easy moment.

"Well, of course. I knew you had not entered yourself. The look on your face when Dumbledore read out your name! But the question is, who did put it in? Because Moody is right, Harry." He told her about Moody's theory, and Hermione thought this was not as stupid as people like Karkaroff claimed. "I don't think any student could have done it. They would never be able to fool the Goblet or get over Dumbledore…"

"Have you seen Ron?" Harry then asked, putting an end to her questioning.

Hermione did not answer immediately. She decided to choose her words carefully.

"Yes. He was at breakfast."

"Does he still think I entered myself?"

"Well… No, I don't think so… Not really."

"What is that supposed to mean, not really?"

She decided to throw it out. "Oh, isn't it obvious? He's jealous!"

"Jealous?" Harry asked unbelieving. "Jealous of what? He wants to make a prat of himself in front of the whole school, does he?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. Why were the boys being so stupid? In some way, Harry was not wrong to say that Ron was behaving stupidly, but Harry was behaving in a similar fashion as well. Though Hermione had to admit that Harry had better cause to be angry given it was his life that was in danger by being thrown into the Tournament. So she answered as patiently as she could.

"Look, it's always you who gets all the attention, you know it is. I know it's not your fault. I know you don't ask for it. But, well, you know… Ron got all those brothers to compete against at home, and you're his best friend. And you're really famous. He's always shunted to one side whenever people see you, and he puts up with it. And he never mentions it. But I suppose this is just one time too many…"

"He thinks I either put my name into that Goblet, or that my mother put it there. Who would think something like that?"

A lot of people, sadly. But Hermione knew that Ron knew deep within himself Harry and his mother enough to know perfectly neither of them would have done this. "He doesn't really believe that, Harry. It's his frustration talking."

"Well, his frustration is stupid." In some way, yes, that frustration was stupid, but Hermione decided it wasn't the right time to say it. Harry's angry tone proved this was no good time to encourage him on this path. "Tell him that I'm ready to swap places with him any time he wants. We'll see if he likes it when everyone will be gawking at his forehead…"

"I'm not telling him anything," Hermione cut short. This had to end now. This was really stupid. "Tell him yourself, it's the only way to sort it out."

"I'm not running around after him trying to make him grow up!" Harry snapped. Several owls in a nearby tree took flight at his outburst. "Maybe he'll believe I'm not enjoying myself once I've got my neck broken…"

"That's not funny!"

Hermione thought she heard something creaking behind. She turned her head, but saw nothing. So she returned her attention to Harry and resumed speaking.

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Next chapter: the conversation continues, from someone spying