07

Hermione had been sitting in the library for several hours when Pansy Parkinson, the pig nosed Slytherin walked towards her.

"Hey Granger, heard you're dating pretty boy Cedric Diggory. You know he's too old for you, right? Don't consider yourself too lucky, I heard he actually fancies Cho Chang and is using you to get her jealous, besides, who would want to date a mudblood like you?" She sneered.

"Pansy, you're just jealous because you know you'll never be loved by someone as handsome as my boyfriend. And why do you care, aren't you with Malfoy? Just leave me alone."

"Come on, Granger, you know what I said is true, don't you? You know that nobody wants you. Frankly, I'm surprised that you haven't left this school, seeing as nobody actually wants you here."

Hermione was about to make a witty comment that Pansy wouldn't be able to process through that thick head of hers, but Cedric stepped in.

"Hello Mione, Parkinson, what are you doing here? You know, I'm prefect now, so I can take plenty of your house points away, so scram, and if I catch you bullying another student, I'll get you detention with Filch. I heard he still likes to hang students by their ankles in the dungeons."

Pansy spat at Cedric and scurried off, pushing people out of her way as she made her way through the library doors.

"Thanks Cedric, but I could have handled it," Hermione smiled and got up to hug Cedric.

Cedric embraced Hermione and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "I know. I just really like you and I don't want her to make you think otherwise. Don't let her get to you, Mione."

Hermione grinned against Cedric's chest. "She couldn't get to me if she tried."

*

Hermione walked to Defence against the Dark Arts with Harry and Ron. She had already read the whole textbook that Professor Moody hadn't given them. It was completely and utterly barbaric, in Hermione's opinion, the way that foul man was teaching. He had used all three unforgivable curses in one class in front of a room full of underage students. Poor Neville was traumatized.

Hermione and the boys walked into the classroom awkwardly, Harry on one side of her and Ron on the other. Students stared at the trio, and started to whisper when they saw Harry, to which Ron rolled his eyes.

"Ronald, don't be so dramatic, just apologize to Harry already. He's going through a lot right now." Whisper-shouted Hermione towards the red haired boy as they made their way through a crowd of students who were now surrounding them in the doorway.

"When isn't he going through something? It's always a death or a dark wizard or a giant snake. He's always in the spotlight, and there's a reason why. It's cause he's a selfish prick who doesn't care about anyone except himself and his dead mum." He whispered back.

The three made their way to their desk and Hermione sat down next to Neville, forcing Ron to sit stiffly next to Harry. Hermione thought that this would hopefully help them work out their issues.

"Hullo Hermione," Neville said, staring down at her feet.

"Hi Neville. How are you feeling, I saw you were a little pale after yesterday's lesson."

"I'm fine, Hermione. Thanks, but I wanted to ask you something, Dean and Seamus are making me do it," he paused between each word as he whispered to Hermione, as if he were scared of something.

"Sure, Neville. What is it?"

"Will you get Cedric and Harry to sign my Hogwarts shirt? That way I can have it to remember the time we hosted the Triwizard tournament? I'm only asking cause you're so close with the two of 'em," he rushed.

Hermione stifled a laugh and agreed to get Neville a signed shirt. For the rest of the class, Neville seemed to be a little less tense and he didn't look so bad compared to the last class they had attended.

*

Potions class was next. Hermione couldn't bare to let Snape scare Neville anymore, so when his potion exploded she took the blame, though Professor Snape didn't believe her and took away 10 points each from Gryffindor for lying and exploding a potion. However, he did not pick on Neville for the rest of the class, to which Neville thanked her for in a whisper at the end of the class, after making sure Professor Snape wasn't looking.

*

At lunch, Hermione sat with the silent Harry and Ron, who were still fighting. Hermione had tried to make a conversation about classes or homework to try and get them talking again, but she eventually gave up and went to go sit at the Hufflepuff table.

"I'm soree, I do not beelive you can seet 'ere," said the champion from Beauxbatons, who, coincidentally was sitting right next to Cedric.

"I can sit where I want, thanks," she replied with a frown and sat in between her boyfriend and the Veela.

"But your robes are not yellow, and theese table ees for people with robes that are yellow," she argued.

"It's ok Fleur, this is the girl I was telling you about. My girlfriend, Hermione Granger," said Cedric calmly, as if he were in a danger zone for a fight.

Fleur immediately quieted but stayed tense throughout the lunch, especially when Hermione leaned on Cedric's shoulder or kissed his cheek. Hermione smiled at the sight of the girl's discomfort. She had clearly been trying to charm Cedric with her Veela ways.

"So, have you learned any clues about the first task?" Hermione asked quietly, careful not to attract the attention of the nearby champion.

"No, not yet, but I can tell it's something huge. I think Harry might know, he looks more tense than usual," Cedric replied in a whisper.

"I'll ask him about it."

"No, Hermione, if he knows, then I'll ask him, but I need to find out for myself. I need to prove that I'm smarter than I look."

"Trust me, you are way too smart for your own good," Hermione smiled against his shoulder.

*

Hermione and Harry were studying in the common room after another fight between Harry and Ron.

"Harry, can I ask you something?" Asked Hermione in a almost inaudible voice.

"Err, sure Hermione, but only if you read my paper when I'm finished."

"Harry, I was going to do that anyways."

"Oh, er, ask away."

"Do you know anything about the first task yet?"

"Er. Yes. Hagrid told me- actually, Hagrid showed me the first task already," he said.

"Would you please tell Cedric about it then? He has too much self pride, he might not find out in time, and I don't want him to get hurt because he wasn't prepared."

"Sure, Hermione. And don't worry, I'll keep you out of it," he said.

"Thanks, Harry. But can I ask what the first task is? Is it dangerous?"

"Very. The first task is dragons."