Keogh

~***~

“I don’t like this.”

“Well, it’s not up to you, is it?”

“They’re going to drown you!”

Hermoine somehow refrained from rolling her eyes. She was not about to be drowned. The Headmaster knew what he was doing. She gave him a trusting smile as she accepted the vial of potion that would help her relax. Once she was sufficiently drowsy a stasis charm would be put on her so that she could be submerged in the Black Lake for a Triwizard Champion to come rescue. Since Ron was here, she was guessing that she was not intended for Harry.

Speaking of Ron, he looked a bit green around the gills as he accepted his own dose of potion, as did the Durmstrang boy, a friend of Krum’s. The little French girl looked nervous, but was still at that age where children usually trusted adults with authority. All four ‘hostages’ downed the potion, which tasted of vanilla and oranges in spite of the icky black color. Either Severus was feeling friendly today or the Headmaster had gotten someone else to brew the potion.

As for Severus, she was pointedly not looking at him. She had made the mistake of doing so earlier and he looked as though he would like nothing more than to remove someone’s head from their shoulders. She had not seen him this pissy since, well, since the Yule Ball when he had crashed her First Kiss.

”I can’t believe I missed that.”

“I’m rather glad you did. There are certain things I’d rather not have you witnessing.”

“This mean I have to skip your first lay, too?”

Fortunately she was getting too sleepy to be visibly embarrassed. “Absolutely. And while you are at it, you can skip just about any other sexual encounter unless specifically invited.”

She fell into darkness that soon turned into a dream. She was sitting on the bed in her room at home with its plush, cornflower-blue comforter and hugging the oversized stuffed bear she had gotten for her ninth birthday to her chest. Kathryn was a few feet away from her, sitting backwards on the chair to her desk with her arms folded atop the back. “Well, you’re no fun.”

“I think it might be considered sick and perverted to peep on your daughter when she’s romantically involved.”

Kathy rolled her eyes. “Well, if my daughter was actually romantically involved with anyone I would likely die from shock.”

“You’re already dead.”

“Oh, right.” She shrugged. “On the other hand, way to go with stringing two boys along at once. My little girl is finally growing up.” She gave an exaggerated sniff and pretended to wipe away a tear. “I’m so proud!”

Now Hermione did roll her eyes. “What are you on about?”

“Viktor and Cedric. Nice couple of choices, by the way. That Quidditch stuff may be insanely dangerous but it certainly makes for some hard bodies. Now, my advice to you is to enjoy the Bulgarian while he’s here, then flit over to Cutie-Puffy once he gets back on his ship and hits the waves.”

“You have lost whatever was left of your mind. Death has obviously driving you senile.”

“Hey, watch who you’re calling ‘senile’. I’m not the one currently tied to the floor of a lake by a strand of kelp.” Kathryn looked about the room, taking in the shelves crammed with books, the poster of the periodic table on one wall and her Einstein bear, complete with its tongue sticking out. “Even in your dreams you’re a nerd! You definitely got that from your father.”

Hermione gave her a perturbed look but chose not to comment. “Where have you been off to, anyway? I haven’t heard a peep out of you in weeks.”

“Miss me?”

“As much as I’d miss a sore thumb.”

“Ouch. Hateful child.” Kathryn did not look hurt, however. “I’ve been trying to figure out where that Voldy guy ran off to. I can’t find him.”

That got her attention. “I thought you said he wasn’t dead. How are you going to find him? I know that everyone has a strand in the Continuum, bit there are billions. It would take millennia to sort through all of them.”

“Exactly, but he’s bound to screw up and kill someone. I’m certain his victims will be happy to rat the bastard out, only he seems to be laying low.” Kathryn rested her chin atop her hands and frowned. “I don’t like it. It makes me nervous.”

Hermione made a little sound and placed her chin atop the bear’s head. It made her nervous, too, not knowing where the Dark Lord might be or what scheme he had cooked up. “Harry’s dreams don’t bode well. It has something to do with the scar, of that I’m certain, like a connection between him and You-Know-Who although I’ve never come across anything in my reading about such an occurrence happening before.”

“There is usually a first time for everything, except for perhaps an original idea out of Hollywood. I’ll just feel better when I know where the bastard is and can keep an eye on him.”

“Only keep an eye on him?”

Kathryn shrugged. “I’ve been told on good authority that your pal, Harry, has to deliver the killing blow. I don’t claim to understand why but it also has something to do with that scar of his.”

“Great. Like he doesn’t already have enough on his shoulders.”

Her mother smiled. “You’re quite the mother-hen, aren’t you? Not sure where you picked that up. God knows neither Severus nor myself have that trait. Probably from the ‘nurture’ side of things.”

Hermione lay back on the dream-world representation of her bed and looked up at the ceiling. “Sometimes I just want to be normal again.” She heard Kathryn give a snort. “What?”

“I wouldn’t necessarily call being a witch ‘normal’, Hermione. You never were and you never will be. Bemoaning your lot in life isn’t going to change things. You just have to make the best with the cards you’ve been dealt.”

“Easy for you to say. You’ve done this all your…” The air was cold on her skin, all the colder because she was wet. Hermione sputtered, sending water flying as someone pulled her through the water to the rigging built in the center of the lake. Instinct made her want to panic but she quickly reminded herself not to do so or she might pull them both down. Instead, she allowed Cedric to get them both to safety without incident. Hands were on them, pulling them out of the icy water and wrapping them in thick towels and blankets as Madam Pomfrey hurried forward to give them both potions. The crowd about them was roaring.

She collected her thoughts, looking about. She saw Fleur, but the French girl did not look happy. She was watching the lake with a fearful expression, oblivious to her schoolmates huddled around her and trying to console her. Harry and Krum were nowhere to be seen. She looked back at Cedric who was seated next to her, but he was nodding as Professor Sprout spoke softly in his ear. A frown creased his brow as the teacher finally straightened up and left them. “What is it?”

“I’m the first back. Delacour couldn’t get past the Grindylows and was disqualified. I was fifteen minutes over, but I was still first.” His eyes went back to the lake. He did not look happy.

“Something wrong?”

“Potter should be back. He was the first one to reach you all. He was still there when I reached you and I told him that we were running out of time, but I think he was worried about the rest of the hostages.” He continued to stare at the surface of the lake, frowning. The water broke and they both stiffened, but it was not Harry. “Well, that’s clever, but dangerous. Partial transformations can go wrong in a bad way.”

“You don’t suppose that’s his animagus form, do you?”

Cedric shook his head. “Doubtful, or he would have turned completely.” They both applauded as Krum pulled his friend over to the scaffolding. The other Durmstrang students pulled them up onto the wooden surface as Madam Pomfrey swooped in to check them over. “He’s surprising, Krum. He behaves like Crabbe or Goyle, but he’s sharper than he lets on.”

“Well, he must be. I mean, he was chosen as a champion. A dullard wouldn’t have been, would they?” She tilted her head away from the lake to look at Cedric. “And you can’t judge him on looks alone. Take you for example.”

He looked back at her. “What about me?”

“Well, other than the teachers and your own house, most everyone else wants to write you off as a ‘useless pretty boy’.”

He stared at her a moment before giving a bit of a laugh. “Do they really? Well, I don’t know whether to be insulted or flattered. Or worried, if the guys are saying that, too.”

She grinned. She couldn’t help it. A bit of movement past Cedric’s shoulder caught her attention and her eyes were drawn that way. She paused as she noted Krum and most of his circle of friends sending rather hostile looks their way. Or, more to the point, Cedric’s way. “I think they’re a bit upset that you got back first.”

He looked over her shoulder and met Krum’s gaze. Hermione saw Cedric’s shoulders square a bit. “Believe me, Hermione,” he said before turning back towards her, “it has nothing to do with my getting back first.”

The crowd let out another roar and they turned their attention back to the lake. Harry was finally back! He had Ron and the little French girl with him. Off to her right she heard Fleur give a shout before trying to get to the edge of the scaffold, shouting ‘Gabrielle’ over and over. Now that she thought about it, Hermione realized that the girl was Delacour in miniature. Likely a younger sister. Both Hogwarts and Beauxbaton students helped to pull the trio out of the water and Hermione watched as Fleur stripped off her own covers to wrap them around the child before hugging her close and peppering her cold-reddened cheeks with kisses.

“That friend of yours would have made quite the Hufflepuff.” Cedric sounded almost admiring as he watched Harry. “Very noble and self-sacrificing.”

“He has his moments, and then other times he’s all boy.” She gave Cedric a shy smile. “Do you mind?” He shook his head and motioned for her to be off. She struggled to her feet under the weight of the blankets and went over to congratulate her friend. The crowd was almost too loud to be heard over as they waited for the results. When Harry had been awarded extra points for ‘moral fiber’ she looked over at caught Cedric’s gaze. The older boy gave a shrug, not looking all that surprised at the outcome.

~***~

“But Madam Pomfrey already fed me a potion.”

“Well, I am giving you this one. Drink up.” Severus turned away from Hermione as she sighed and looked at the cup. With a sound of resignation she downed the concoction in three gulps.

“What’s this supposed to do, anyway?”

“It will strengthen your body’s natural defenses to ward off cold and illness. You became overly chilled today.” He looked back over his shoulder as she carried the cup to the sink and washed it out. He wished all of his students had taken his lessons in tidiness so well. “So it’s Mr. Diggory now, is it?”

“What?” She dried the cup and set it atop the overhead shelf.

“Your new champion. I thought Mr. Krum had caught your eye.” He saw her blink before her cheeks reddened.

“It’s not like that. Cedric and I are friends. We have been since last year.” She could no longer meet his gaze, her hands suddenly busying themselves with straightening up empty phials.

“Friends is it? Allow me to remind you that Mr. Diggory is two years your senior and already of age. Not to mention that he has attracted a steady stream of young hearts to him while here at school.” Of course, there had never been a whisper of ill treatment towards any of the girls that he had ever heard. Diggory was hailed as a gentleman and a model student at all times. “You should think carefully before allowing yourself to become too deeply involved.”

“Cedric and I are friends. He studies with me and he keeps those bullies you call students away from me. I’m not about to brush him off just because you’re getting overprotective.” Her jaw set in a mulish expression and for a moment she looked so much like her mother that his wand hand twitched. “Now, if that’s all, I would like to go back to the tower. Everyone is celebrating Harry’s performance today and I should be there.”

Severus arched a brow. “Yes, a very inspiring performance it was. Gillyweed. Quite clever.” There had been a reason for bringing her down here. “Are you brewing polyjuice potion again, Hermione?”

She frowned. “What?”

“Supplies for the potion have been stolen from my cupboard. I know you are familiar with it and have brewed it illicitly in the past.”

“Well, I… we’re not doing that. Why would we? I don’t know who’s nicking your things, but it isn’t me! And before you go thinking about them, as much as I like them neither Ron nor Harry could pull it off without me.” She raised her chin a bit defiantly. Still, he could tell she was being truthful. So it wasn’t them, which meant someone else was up to no good for a change.

"Very well. Get back to the tower. And don’t forget that your essay for my class is due tomorrow. I expect nothing less than perfection.”

She arched a brow and squared her shoulders. “And you shall have it.” With a bit of a huff she turned and left his workroom.

~***~