Chapter 6
Who Do You Love?

A few days before the ball, I returned to school from a shopping trip to Harrod's in Knightsbridge with a periwinkle gown created by a young designer named Sassi Holford. I had it in a special bag loaned to me by Professor McGonagall. I carefully hid it away from prying eyes. I did not want anyone to see it before the event. It was a top secret.

A few nights later, as I remember it, I was relaxing in the Gryffindor Common Room. It was quiet time after dinner and a long day of classes. My housemates were also decompressing by reading, chatting, and playing Exploding Snap. All of a sudden, I noticed a stack of Daily Prophets on the central table. " Funny," I thought. " I do not remember seeing them there earlier. "

Several people were picking up copies and starting to chatter as I put down my book on Trolls of the British Isles. I took one from the pile. My jaw nearly hit the floor as I read the headline. There, spread across the page in giant letters were the words:

HOGWARTS' HAPPY HEARTBREAKER

Hermione Granger - The Heartless Hussy

It was clearly the work of Rita Skeeter. I hate her so much. Someday I will get my chance to get even with her. I will really make her pay.

Below the headlines, were two pictures of me. One of them was a basic headshot that switched back and forth between my old and new front teeth. The caption under it commented on my 'vane, vanity augmentation'. The other was me embracing Harry after the hug in the tent before the First Challenge. It switched from us clothed to mostly unclothed. It was clearly a fake. The situation never happened. However, it looked very damning on the front page.

The article accompanying the headlines began by talking about how I broke Harry's heart by taking up with Viktor Krum. I had not announced our date. How did she know this? Then it also wondered how Ron Weasley was taking all of this because I was constantly flirting and giving him the 'goo-goo eyes'. It went even further by wondering if he was noticing at all.

I started to panic. People were looking at me with disapproving expressions. It was horrible. I started shrieking "Quit reading this! Don't read it, Ron! None of you read it! Stop! Stop! It's lies! It's all lies!"

Suddenly, I opened my eyes. I was seeing the faces of my roommates—uh their faces and Samantha's boobs in the wand light. Sam likes to sleep naked. They were all saying, "Wake up! Wake up, Hermione! Wake up!"

"Wha—Wha—What's going on?" I garbled out of the mental fog.

"You were having a nightmare," said Lavender.

"You were shouting stuff like Stop! Stop! It's lies! It's all lies!," added Carpathia.

"Oh my!" I gasped as I sat up. "It was just a dream—a horrible dream. Thank goodness. It was terrible."

"Here. Have a drink," said Parvati as she conjured a glass and filled it with water.

I took a sip and thanked her. I sat it on my nightstand.

"It's over, now. Try to go back to sleep, now," said Lavender.

"Yes. Lay down, Hermie," said Samantha. "I felt her boobs rub against my open mouth as she leaned in and hugged me.

" I think one of her boobs pushed into my mouth, " my shocked mind thought. " I think I might have touched it with the tip of my tongue. Did she do it on purpose? Did I? Is she a? Am I one, too? No. No. I don't think so. I hope not ."

Fortunately, I returned to the dream world in short order. This time, my dreams would prove unremarkable. I woke up several hours later. As my eyes found their focus, I saw Samantha was already dressed. Lavender, Parvati, and Carpathia were all mostly dressed, as well.

"Good morning," I said with a yawn and a stretch. "Why didn't you wake me up?"

"Good morning," replied Lavender. "We didn't want to bother you. You looked so peaceful. We thought you might want to sleep some more."

"I'm fine," I said. "Are you worried about that stupid nightmare?"

"A little," responded Samantha as she stood brushing her long hair.

"Don't worry about it," I said as I started to get dressed. "I was dreaming that The Daily Prophet had a stupid story on the front page attacking me the way it keeps attacking Harry and Dumbledore. Everyone was reading it. I wanted them to stop."

"That is weird but understandable," said Parvati as she finished buttoning her jumper. "We all know how much those attacks on Harry and Dumbledore bother you. It sounds like you were wrestling with that in your dreams."

"That makes sense," I replied. "Those attacks are so unfair. I can't believe people take them seriously. The Prophet is obviously doing the bidding of the Ministry."

"I don't think all that many people really buy the stuff the Prophet is saying. I think most of us believe Harry and Dumbledore," said Carpathia.

"And don't worry Hermie," added Samantha. "If it does attack you, we'll stick up for you."

Thanks, guys," I said as I slipped on my shoes. "Let's go have some breakfast. I'm famished."

A couple of days passed. One afternoon, I walked up the stairs and entered our dormitories. As I walked into our room, I saw Samantha. She had her back to me and was doing something with her trunk. I drew a breath. If I was really set on what I was considering, this was the time to discuss it.

A week had passed since our little encounter. My mind would not let go of it. She and I avoided talking about what we had done. However, I felt a strange need to thank her. Even though I knew it was morally wrong, I had decided I would ask her to let me return the favor.

"Hi, Sam," I said in a cheerful voice.

Samantha jerked. I had clearly startled her. "Uh—oh Hi, Hermione," she sniffed.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, picking up on the sadness in her voice. "What is it?"

"I—I—I'm going home. I got suspended—maybe expelled," she replied as she turned around. Tears were flowing down her cheeks and falling onto the floor.

"Oh no!" I exclaimed as I rushed over to hug her. "What happened? Can you talk about it?"

"I—uh—we—uh—Draco and Pansy caught us down in the dungeons doing what you and I did. They reported us to Snape. He took us to Dumbledore's office. He said he had no choice except to send us home. My parents are going to kill me," she blubbered.

"Ohmigawd," was all I could manage. I was at a loss for words.

"Well—uh—well you're going to hear her name soon enough, Daphne Greengrass—she fought with Pansy a few days ago. I think Draco and Pansy were following her. They probably wanted to get her in trouble. I don't think the bastards even cared about me other than it would get Gryffindor in trouble. And—and we made it real easy for them. We served ourselves up on a silver platter," blubbered Samantha.

"I wish there was something I could do. I am so sorry," I sobbed. My tears mixed with hers as they soaked our tops. We were like a family, sisters in our room. I wondered what we should say to the others. I wondered how they would react.

The next morning, five tearful girls were standing united on the platform when Daphne showed up alone to board the train. The assumption was her friends were too scared of Draco and Pansy to risk getting on their bad side by accompanying her.

As Samantha got aboard, I turned to Daphne. She was waiting quietly for her turn. I did not know her but I said, "I am really sorry about what happened. You have friends here. We're going to do our best to get Samantha and you reinstated. Stay strong. We're going to get Draco and Pansy for what they did to both of you."

Daphne thanked me for what I said. She was, as I would learn, from a well-connected pureblood family. I got the impression this situation was far from over.

By the time the night of the ball arrived, I was a nervous wreck. I had put up with Rita Skeeter's innuendoes and muckraking ever since she witnessed an innocent hug before First Challenge. Pansy had never outed me with her knowledge of my date with Viktor. She ignored it, lest her knowledge be mistaken for jealousy. Or maybe, she had taken my threat and the bats flying out of her nose seriously.

On Christmas Day, I opened some presents before going down to the Common Room. Harry, Ron, and I went to breakfast. Later, we went outside for a walk. Try as I did, I could not get my mind under control. Tonight was the ball. I was secretly praying that it would go well.

Harry and Ron got into a snowball fight with Fred and George. I watched until 5:00 pm. Then, I headed back to the dorms to get ready amidst calls asking the name of my date. I ignored them.

I did my hair and makeup. I put on all of my undergarments. Lavender, Carpathia, and Samantha finished dressing and headed downstairs to meet their dates. Parvati was finishing putting on her shocking pink gown. Her hair was done up beautifully. She had on a pair of earrings that were large and dangly. They were made of gold and probably from India—possibly a family heirloom.

"This is really exciting," said Pavarti.

"Uh—yes—I suppose. Actually, I am quite nervous," I confessed to her. "I am not sure I can do this."

"Of course, you can do this. You said yes when Viktor asked you—you chose to do this. You chose to be someone. You chose to get ahead."

"But what if this is not what I really want? What if I just want to be plain, little Hermione instead of a star sitting at the head table?"

"Don't be silly. Everybody wants this. Inside, you know you do. Every girl in the school wants to be us."

Parvati finished her preparations as I pondered her words. Did I really want this? Did I really want to be envied by everyone? I was a ball of confusion getting ready for a different ball.

. As soon as Parvati departed, I pulled out my gown and started putting it on. I felt like I was wearing it out from the inside out as I made my way down the stairs to the ballroom for my entrance shortly before 8:00 pm. When I reached to top of the stairs, the first thing I saw was Pavarti, and then Harry, looking up at me in all my taffeta splendor.

I suddenly felt special in a way that I had never before felt. Perhaps, Parvati was right after all even though I tried to deny it. I did want this. However, I wanted more than the envious eyes on me. I wanted something more. I wanted to see Ron's face when he saw what he missed. But try as I did, he was nowhere to be found.

The next few moments were a blur, Professor McGonagall had the champions and their date paired up and marching into the ballroom. Fleur Delacour and Roger Davies led the procession followed by Viktor and me. Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang were third, while Harry and Pavarti brought up the rear. The whole time I was marching, I was looking for Ron. Where was the prat hiding? Why did I care so much?

When Harry saw me on Krum's arm, I could tell that he did not realize it was me at first. Then, his eyes lit up as I said hello to him. Parvati looked at me with an almost jealous smile. Many of the gaggle of girls who had haunted Viktor's every step all year were giving me vicious, hateful scowls. I loved it.

Once we had all entered the hall and were seated, Viktor and I had the start of our first real conversation. However, Igor Karkaroff stopped him from telling me too much about Durmstrang. I was annoyed but did not say anything. Instead, I returned to teaching Viktor how to properly say my name.

Dinner ended and the dance floor appeared. The Weird Sisters marched onto the stage. Viktor and I, along with the other champion pairs helped open the dancing. Before long, the floor was filled with students, professors, and other invited guests dancing in all of their finery.

A short time later, I finally saw Ron. He was scowling at me from a table where he was sitting with Harry, Parvati, and Padma. When I looked at him, he tried to ignore me. Why were they sitting there instead of dancing? They should be out here with everyone else. Parvati eventually got up and left with a boy from Beauxbaton. Then, Padma gave Ron a frustrated look and walked off.

Viktor and I danced until I needed a break. I walked over and sat down with Ron and Harry while Viktor got us something to drink. In nothing flat, I was having a row with Ron. He accused me of fraternizing with the enemy. I scoffed at him as my mouth fell open. He was the one who wanted Viktor's autograph and had a model of him on his nightstand. Then he claimed Viktor was using this dance to get information about Harry and to get me to help him figure out his egg.

I was outraged. How could he accuse me of this? I am a loyal Gryffindor. I am totally behind Harry winning. I would never betray him or Hogwarts. Then, a thought screamed at me. " You're not here with Viktor because you like him. You're here to make Ron jealous ."

My temples pounded. Could this be true? Did I really like Ron so much that I was doing this to make him mad? " No! " I said to myself. " That's ridiculous,"

A moment later, Viktor returned. I got up and left with him. " Why can Ron not just be happy for me and leave it at that? Is it too much to ask? " I fumed.

We had a couple of more dances before Viktor suggested that we go for a walk to cool off. We left the hall and went outside. It was cold and snowy. He held my hand as he finished the chat we were having at the dinner table before Karkaroff had cut him off. He talked about Durmstrang, growing up in Bulgaria, and his desire to play professional quidditch. It was a strange twist to our normal time together. He was usually very quiet and reserved with his comments. I normally had to carry on the conversations to avoid protracted periods of silence. Suddenly, I was the listener.

Our peaceful walk ended abruptly when we heard voices. It was Professor Snape and Igor Karkaroff. They were walking through the enchanted rose bushes talking about Voldemort and Death Eaters. Then, there was the sound of surprise. Two students, one a girl from Hufflepuff and the other a boy from Ravenclaw were knocked out of a rosebush amidst a vehement scolding from Professor Snape. Apparently, they were inside the bushes snogging, if not more. I think I saw her bristols as she struggled to straighten her gown. They ran toward the castle as Snape shouted at them about the points they had just lost their houses.

Viktor and I looked at each other. "We should go inside," I said to which he agreed.

Once we were back in the castle, I excused myself to call it a night. Viktor thanked me for a lovely evening. Then it happened, that moment every girl remembers for the rest of her life. Our lips met as he wrapped his arms around me. It was my first kiss. My whole being exploded. He was so strong and muscular. I was no longer ugly, bossy, Little-Miss-Know-It-All—the only girl in my dorm room, my house, and probably all of Hogwarts who had never been kissed. I felt so complete.

Just as we were saying our final goodnight and about to share another kiss, Ron and Harry appeared. They looked to be calling it a night. I did not want to talk to them. Instead, I just scowled at Ron and headed off toward the Gryffindor tower with the glow from the kiss feeling suddenly diminished. The kiss no longer mattered romantically. I did not love Viktor or want to spend the rest of my life with him. It felt more like I had inked a checkmark on a list. Then I reconsidered my thoughts from earlier. I recalled why I had gone to the ball with him. I knew why I acted the way I had in response to Ron's behavior. I had done it to make Ron jealous—and it had worked. My blindness—my self-denial disappeared. I was simultaneously thrilled and horrified.

Once I made it into the Common Room, I paused for a moment to catch my breath. Before I headed off to my room, Ron came in. The next thing I knew, we were at each other just like earlier. But this time, I knew the source of Ron's anger, even if he did not. As Harry walked in a moment later, we were screaming, our faces were red, and my beautiful hair was falling apart.

"If you don't like it, then you know what the solution is, don't you?" I shouted at Ron.

Ron said "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"The next time there's a ball, ask me first. And not as a last resort," I screamed. His face fell speechless as I turned to storm up the stairs. As I fumed away, I realized I was upset for more than having needed to make him jealous. I was mad at myself for letting our relationship get to this point without saying anything on my own.

As classes returned, Ron and I restrained ourselves. I burrowed back into schoolwork. In the back of my mind, I was also worrying about the egg and Harry's Second Challenge. However, an even greater concern was Samantha. I pulled Harry aside after dinner one evening. I needed to deal with it.

"I know the Second Challenge is your most important thing," I said, trying to open a conversation while holding a plate with a treacle tart and a couple of pumpkin pasties as enticements. "But I want to ask you something about Samantha."

"Samantha?" he replied. "She's gone. She got into some kind of trouble with Pansy's friend Daphne. What's there to talk about?"

"Daphne is not Pansy's friend," I stated as I walked us to a quiet corner before offering Harry a treat. "They fought. Draco and Pansy were out to get her. Sam got in the middle of it."

"I think she got more than 'into the middle of it' from what I hear," said Harry with a serious look. "I heard they were doing—uh—well—doing sex stuff."

"Maybe. But I think Draco and Pansy might have—uh—embellished it. You know how the two of them are."

"Okay," replied Harry as he picked up a pastie and took a bite. "But what do you want me to do about it? You and Ron are the prefects."

"You said a while back that you knew stuff about Draco and Pansy that could get them in a lot of trouble if it got out," I said.

"I did," said Harry as he finished off the pastie. "What are you suggesting?"

"What would happen if you met with Draco and Pansy, and reminded them of it? Do you think they might consider going to Dumbledore to ask for leniency? Do you think they might say they may have overstated their accusations?"

"I don't know," said Harry as he picked up the tart. It would be fun to watch them squirm."

We finished our treats and left the hall. I had a good feeling about this. Now we had to figure out Harry's egg.

Ron and I remained cool but cordial. Then Ludo Bagman had a conversation with Harry that started stirring things. Harry said he was interested in the egg and his progress. Harry had refused Bagman's help. Then Rita Skeeter came in looking gaudy and tawdry as ever. She tried to goad Harry into a story. When I stood up to support him, she called me a silly, little girl. " Oooo! I am going to get back at her if it takes forever, " I thought.

One afternoon, we ran into Hagrid and Dumbledore on our way back to the castle. Hagrid was down about being half-giant and having an argument with Madame Maxime. By the time we left, Hagrid felt much better. He finally resolved his heritage and accepted himself as who he was. I hope Madame Maxime can do the same.

Harry finally figured out the egg a day later. Cedric had told him to listen to it while taking a bath. He thought it was a joke and had tried to ignore him. It turned out, he had been telling him the truth. Now, we had the mystery of the clue inside it to decipher.

As it turned out, we did not have much difficulty figuring out that the clue was referencing the Black Lake and the need to stay underwater for an hour. But how can someone stay underwater for an hour?

January and most of February passed. Harry was frustrated thinking about the Second Challenge. It was hard to talk to him. Viktor and I spent more and more time together if that is what you want to call it. I would study and he would watch. Ron was remote. Every now and then I would catch him giving Viktor and me a stare. Most of the time, he avoided us and hung out with Harry.

Harry told us about Snape and Moody during a great lesson on the Banishing Charm that turned into a cushion fight. Harry felt Moody was watching Snape. We could not resolve our feelings about this but were concerned about why Snape's office was broken into.

Harry's and my opportunity to corner Draco and Pansy came one afternoon after classes. We found them sitting alone in the Fountain Courtyard. As we approached them, they gave us two pairs of suspicious eyes.

"What do you want, Potter?" sneered Draco. "Brought Viktor's girlfriend with you, I see."

I wanted to punch him as Pansy snickered. However, Harry grabbed my arm and stopped me as I started to step forward.

"Keep your wand in your pocket," said Harry as he gripped the handle of his wand. "We just want to talk."

"What could we have to talk about?" asked Draco as his eyes narrowed.

"Samantha and Daphne," I snapped before Harry could say anything.

"Are they your special friends, too," chirped Pansy. "Do you like girls, too? I thought you were just after famous guys."

"I reached for my wand as Pansy winced. It was common knowledge that she was all mouth but not much in a duel. She knew a lot of hexes. However, they were not the dueling kind.

Harry restrained me as I struggled to get loose. "Calm down," he said. "I want to talk, not fight."

Draco settled Pansy as I took a breath.

"Get on with it," said Draco. "Why do you want to talk about them?"

"We think you both blew things out of proportion. We want both of you to talk to Dumbledore. We want you to ask him to reinstate them with a stern warning about proper behavior," said Harry.

"Why would we want to do that? We caught them—" started Draco only to be cut off.

"—We know what they were doing," interrupted Harry, turning to look at Daphne. "And we know you were spying on Daphne ever since you fought with her."

"It doesn't matter," chimed in Pansy. "What they were doing was wrong. They got what they deserved. We aren't—"

"—Shuttit, Parkinson," barked Harry forcefully enough to cause her and Draco to fall silent and sit back. "I am going to go out on a limb and say almost everyone in this school has done something bad, wrong, even bad enough to get expelled at one time or another." I winced a little at that statement. Thoughts of my little adventure with Samantha and my smoking caused me to shudder.

"That—I haven't—" started Pansy.

"—I said shuttit, Parkinson," snarled Harry.

'I just—" she stopped as Harry gave her a look that looked like he was ready to hex her.

"Take off my clothes, Daddy. I want to be your big girl—or—Spank me, Granger. I've been a bad boy—or maybe—good cruppy. Give Mommy what she needs—or—suck it like you want to be a prefect with me," said Harry as Draco and Pansy's mouths fell open. "Does any of that sound familiar? Do I need to say more?"

"What in the hell are you talking about? You're making that stuff up," growled Draco.

"I know several portraits and a couple of ghosts that will say different. They've been quiet for a long time but their tongues might just loosen up for a chance in a better place to hang or haunt."

"That's blackmail, Potter," said Draco, clearly shaken. "My father—"

"—Your father," laughed Harry. "You aren't going to say anything to your father. You don't want him coming here and listening to what you did from at least a dozen portraits and a couple of ghosts."

"Wha—wha—what do we have to do?" sputtered Pansy.

"I already told you," replied Harry. "You both go to Dumbledore and tell him you just thought you saw most of what you said you saw. Tell him you think the punishment was too harsh. Ask him to bring them back. Do this and everything I just said remains a secret."

Draco and Pansy looked at us. "Okay," they both said.

As the challenge neared, we got more and more desperate trying to figure out how Harry could stay underwater for an hour without dying. When the night before arrived, we were still unable to solve the problem. We were in the library. Fred and George came in and told Ron and me that McGonagall wanted us in her office. Harry was now on his own. I was scared but not of the right thing.

I do not recall any of the actual Second Challenge. It was not until I was pulled from the water after Viktor rescued me that I woke up—without a doubt the rudest wake-up ever. All I remember is going to sleep in Professor McGonagall's office with the reassurance from Dumbledore that no harm would come to any of us and that all would be fine after the task. The champions had no way of knowing this. Still, there I was, bobbing in the freezing cold waters of the lake as Viktor pulled me toward the shore.

Madame Pomfrey wrapped me in warm blankets as soon as I was out of the water and gave me a potion that warmed me so much steam shot out of my ears. Then, in the confusion, Harry appeared with Ron and Gabrielle Delacour in tow. He had done it. He had figured out how to save Ron all on his own. I was so proud of him.

Once Harry and I were reunited, I hugged him and congratulated him for solving things. Even when Viktor tried to get my attention, I stayed with Harry. I was so happy. Dumbledore got into a conversation with the head merperson. Suddenly, Fleur stepped between us. She kissed Harry twice on each cheek for saving her sister. Then she turned to Ron and kissed him as well. He seemed very pleased with the situation. For some reason, this caused me to see red. Apparently, even after the fiasco at the ball, I was jealous of any attention given to Ron by another girl.

My pique ended when the judges sorted out the points. Harry received 45 points making him second. This left him tied overall with Cedric at the top with 87 points. He was commended for high moral fiber.

In the days following the challenge, I gave people a very accurate account of everything. Ron did as well—at least at first. However, as days passed, he went from the truth to where he had to fight fifty heavily armed merpeople who beat him into submission before tying him up. What a liar. I had half a mind to—well—I just bit my tongue and let him prattle on. It was actually quite humourous by the end.

Finally, when he told Padma he had his wand up his sleeve and could have taken them whenever he wanted, I had to speak. "What were you going to do? Snore at them?" I asked snidely. This ended his storytelling. In retrospect, I think I was feeling self-conscious and upset by all of the teasing I was receiving from the others about me being the thing Viktor Krum would miss most.

Harry had until the Third Challenge on 24 June. Things returned to normal until one day just before Potions Class. Pansy Parkinson and her snickering circle of satellites tossed me a magazine with the suggestion that I might find something interesting inside.

Harry and Ron looked on as I secretly leafed through the pages while Snape was writing on the blackboard. At first, I did not see anything interesting. Then, there it was. A Rita Skeeter article with a picture of Harry called Harry Potter's Secret Heartache. It centered on me. It talked about how poor Harry thought he finally found some love in his tragic, loveless life with a muggle-born girlfriend, Hermione Granger. " That lying sleazebag, " my mind screamed. " I am not Harry's girlfriend. And why does she feel the need to include 'muggle-born'? Some day. Errrr. " My nightmare had come to life.

The article went on to say that I am a plain, but ambitious girl with a taste for famous wizards that Harry can no longer satisfy with the arrival of Viktor Krum at Hogwarts. Viktor is openly smitten by me. So, now, I am supposedly toying with the affections of both boys. I may be going to visit Viktor in Bulgaria over the summer. " What a load of rubbish," I fumed. "Plain, maybe, but not ambitious. I certainly do not lust after famous wizards or toy with their affections. Where does she get this trash?"

And then, there it was. The root of the story. Pansy Parkinson was calling me ugly and suggesting I may be using a love potion on them. Rita went on from there to call Pansy pretty. "PRETTY?" my mind shouted. I didn't know whether to laugh or vomit. " Both of them are going to wish they never heard of me by the time I get done with them. "

Suddenly, Ron hissed. "I told you not to cross Rita Skeeter. She's made you out to be some sort of scarlet woman.

I giggled at Ron saying 'scarlet woman'. However, at the same time, a warm feeling filled my heart with the thought of how quickly Ron had sprung to my defense. I willed him a hug and kiss.

With that, I tossed the magazine into an empty chair. Pansy and crew were looking at us, surely hoping for an angry reaction. I gave them a sarcastic smile and waved.

As we started grinding up scarab beetles for our Wit Sharpening Potion, I could not get things out of my mind. How did she know Viktor had asked me to Bulgaria? How did she know what Viktor had said to me? I was totally embarrassed as I started talking about it with Harry and Ron. Did she have an invisibility cloak? I wondered.

Ron seemed oddly bothered by the discussion. He was grinding and thumping his pestle into the table. Finally, he asked me what I had said to Viktor's request. I was busy grumbling about Rita calling Pansy pretty. "Pretty," I snarled to myself. "Pretty as the rear end of a blast-ended skrewt."

Later, I got into a kerfuffle with Ron over the rights of elves. The elves had chased us away and he was angry that they would send us substandard food. Then I started getting hate mail because of the article. One of them contained bubotuber pus. It burned my hands and caused me to go to the hospital wing. " Why do people believe the lies and garbage she writes? This is so unfair. I haven't done anything wrong. I wish I could squash Rita Skeeter like a bug, " I moaned.

We started focusing on getting Harry ready for the Third Challenge. I tried to teach him every charm I knew that could be useful in the maze.

Hagrid gave us a lesson on nifflers. Ron's niffler found the most gold Hagrid had hidden. This made Ron want to buy one. However, Hagrid said that this gold was leprechaun gold and would disappear after a few hours. Then, Hagrid asked about my hands. I told him about the letters. Hagrid told us about the letters he had received after people found out he was half-giant. He told me to throw any future letters in the fire. It's so sad and unfair. Hagrid is one of the nicest, kindest people ever. Anyone who knows him would agree with me.

As we returned to the castle, Ron suddenly remembered the gold he had given Harry at the Quidditch World Cup. It had been leprechaun gold. After a bunch of grumbling, Ron moaned about hating being poor. I felt bad for him and his family.

I went on to complain about Rita Skeeter and the hate mail. That caused me to refocus on figuring out how Rita Skeeter was learning things. At first, I focused on the idea she might have an invisibility cloak. Professor Moody made me give up on that idea. Harry told us about muggle electronic snooping equipment. I reminded him that most electrical devices go haywire around Hogwarts.

I was spending a lot of time trying to figure out how Rita Skeeter had managed to eavesdrop on Viktor and me, and how she 'knew' things about Ludo Bagman. Even though I was not having much success, I kept Harry and Ron away from my grudge. The hate mail slowly diminished. The last real disappointment from it was from Ron's mom. She sent us all candy eggs for Easter. Ron and Harry's were as big as a dragon egg and full of candy. All I got was a tiny one the size of a chicken egg. It was clear that she had read the article. I was sad that she would treat me this way.