Crossing of Fates

Chapter 3: Acquaintance

The next morning, after their lessons, Hermione and Lavon went to the library. They wanted to finish their homework, so they could have free time in order to explore the castle. They were finishing their Transfiguration and Divination homework, and starting on Potions, when Hermione suddenly stiffened.

Lavon turned towards the door in surprise, and saw a boy about their age entering. Hermione had a determined scowl on her face, and was clenching her fists and shaking slightly. The only time Lavon had seen her like this was when they had gotten into trouble with Professor Elle, because of their three enemies.

The boy was about to walk past them when he suddenly stopped and turned to Hermione. "You won't be that lucky the next time," he said. Turning to Lavon, he said, "By the way, I've got some badges. Want to buy them?"

He took out a few badges, which had written, "Support Cedric Diggory- the Real Champion", and then they started flashing, "Potter Stinks".

Hermione paled a little, but kept glaring in his direction. "I will never buy a badge. Go away, Malfoy."

He strolled casually towards a shelf, picked up a book, and after checking it out, he left. Once he was gone, Hermione lowered her face into her hands, keeping silent and not moving. Her face was drained of colour, and she dreaded the next time she would have to meet Malfoy.

"Hermione? Who was that?"

"Oh, just an ... enemy." Her voice shook slightly as she turned to look at Lavon. Unable to keep silent anymore, she told Lavon what had happened the day before. Lavon's face showed varying degrees of shock, surprise and concern.

"Oh, Hermione. That's so awful. No wonder Harry was so concerned yesterday."

At lunch, Hermione and Lavon made their way down to the Great Hall where they met Renay, hand in hand with a boy.

"Hey, Renay."

"Oh, Salut, Hermione, Lavon. This is Seamus Finnigan."

Hermione and Lavon gaped at her for a moment, then turned to look at each other. It was typical of Renay to hook up with boys in such a short time. Hermione attempted a weak smile at the boy, and said, "Hello, I'm Hermione, and she's Lavon."

She looked at his robes, "You must be a Gryffindor, which year?"

"Fourth year."

Hermione nodded, and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Lavon and I were just on our way down for lunch. See you later."

**********

Hermione and Lavon walked down to the Great Hall, and sat down at the Ravenclaw table, which was almost empty. Hermione chose to sit next to Cho again. "Hello, Cho."

"Hi, Hermione."

"Do you know Cedric Diggory?"

"Umm... Not really. I mean, he's talked to me a few times, and he's quite nice. That's all." A faint blush settled on her cheeks.

"You fancy him, don't you?" Hermione asked, grinning.

"Well, sort of. I mean... err... I think that... he's nice, and quite charming. Besides, who wouldn't have a crush on him, being the pleasant person he is? Why are you asking about him anyway?"

"I just wanted to know more about the other Hogwarts champion, that's all."

Cho nodded, and continued eating slowly. Hermione looked around the Great Hall, and her eyes sought out Harry at the Gryffindor table. He looked miserable, and Hermione wondered what had happened. Ronald Weasley was nowhere in sight. Harry looked up, and caught Hermione staring at him. He smiled feebly, and she motioned to him to come over.

"Hey, Harry," she said as he approached.

"Hi Hermione," he said, his eyes downcast and not sparkling with its usual mischief.

"Are you alright?" She stood, and picked up her books. "Lav, I'll go to the library on my own later." She left her lunch untouched, and left with Harry.

Lavon shook her head, and said, "And she says they're just friends."

**********

Hermione and Harry left the Great Hall. Once outside, she tugged at his hand, "Harry, let's go for a walk by the lake. I know something's bothering you. You're not in a hurry, are you?"

Harry shook his head and Hermione brought him by a tree.

Harry looked down at the floor, and said, "Ron thinks I've entered the competition myself. He refuses to talk to me. I thought he knew me better than that."

Hermione listened as Harry ranted and raved about how he did not want to be a champion, and hoped that his godfather could be here for him so that he could sort things out for him, but his godfather could not come because it was too dangerous.

"Harry!"

"Yes?"

"Who's your godfather?"

"Hermione, do you trust me?"

"Yes. Of course," she said, looking at him suspiciously.

"Sirius Black is my godfather."

Hermione stared for a moment, and asked in a shaky voice, "I thought he worked for You-Know-Who!"

Harry recounted his adventure the previous year. Hermione smiled, and said, " Is he nice?"

Harry nodded slightly, and then sighed, "I don't know what's come over Ron. He's never been like this before."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Harry, it's so obvious! He's jealous of you."

"Jealous of me, why? Does he want a scar, and all the publicity, too?"

Hermione attempted to calm Harry down by saying, "Harry, he doesn't know how it feels like to be goggled at by so many people. He doesn't understand how you feel. You should try and put yourself in his shoes for a moment. He doesn't understand, and he's always been in your shadows. Of course he would be jealous of you."

Harry stared at her, understanding slowly dawning on his face. He nodded, and held her hand tightly. "Thanks, Hermione."

"Anytime, Harry. By the way, I think you should tell Sirius about all this. The Triwizard competition, I mean."

"But... if Sirius knows... he...."

"No buts, Harry. He's bound to know it from someone, and he'll prefer that you tell him the news personally."

"Alright, Hermione, I'll tell him."

"Have you seen the new um... badges?"

"Yeah, really nice," Harry said sarcastically.

"Don't be disheartened, Harry. I'll never get one, and I'm sure most people wouldn't, either. Only those Slytherins perhaps."

**********

The next day, Hermione was finishing up with her homework in the library alone, since both Lavon and Renay had gotten the flu. She was finishing when Viktor Krum walked in. He was surrounded by a group of girls, who were giggling, and shooting him adoring glances. Hermione gave a groan, packed up her things, and left to the carriage to get some peace.

She went out through the door, and saw a huge fat bug lying on the huge door. She studied the bug for a moment, having always been interested in nature. She noticed some strange markings on its head, and wondered why, eventually settling that it was a special species.

She went into the carriage, and stayed in until dinner, where she met Harry with a whole group of friends heading towards the castle. He was walking in the middle, and looking so depressed that she decided to go over and talk to him.

His smile widened at the sight of her, and she felt her heart flutter. "Hi, Harry."

"Hey, Hermione."

"How was your lesson? Herbology, was it?"

"Our Herbology lesson was fine, though it was very lonely. How about you?"

"Well, my lesson finished ages ago, so I stayed in my room to do some homework. Pretty fun, actually. And--" She was interrupted before she had the chance to finish.

"Hi, it's Hermione, right?"

"Oh, yes, hi, Seamus. I had no idea you're Harry's friend, as well." She smiled prettily at him. Seamus looked almost dazed and blushed horribly.

"Well, we're in the same dormitory."

Hermione nodded, and turned back to Harry, who had been watching the conversation with interest. "Do you want to come to the Gryffindor common room for a visit? I'm sure the others won't mind," he asked.

Hermione nodded, "Only if you come and visit me after."

"Deal."

They grinned. Hermione said, "Harry, I heard that we're having spaghetti for dinner today. Sounds lovely, want to race?"

She did not wait for his reply before running off, while he closely followed her. The other fourth-years rolled their eyes, and continued with their conversation.

**********

In the Great Hall, Hermione invited Harry over to the Ravenclaw table for dinner. "You'll feel lonely at your table, Harry. Come join us." He nodded, almost too enthusiastically. When he crossed over to the Ravenclaw table, many people turned to look. Harry had never sat at another table before. He sat beside Hermione, near the doors. Hermione and Harry chatted easily, like old friends.

Hermione looked up, and scanned the Hall, a familiar habit of hers. Her eyes landed on the Gryffindor table, where most people were staring. At her glance, most hurriedly looked down in embarrassment. However, a pair of eyes met her own, those of Ronald Weasley.

His eyes were burning with hatred; and he glared at her while chatting with a girl, who had the similar red hair and freckles. The girl was smiling a little, though Hermione was not sure if there was something hidden within that smile. Hermione assumed that the girl was his sister. Beside them, there was a pretty Indian girl, who looked to be very dressy.

There was a group of rowdy older students near the door. Two of them were twins, and it seemed as if they belonged in the Weasley clan too, with the familiar red hair and freckles. She asked Harry about them.

"That's his sister, Ginny. Those are the twins, George and Fred, bunch of clowns they are. They have three older brothers, Percy, Bill and Charlie. And the group sitting with the twins is my fellow Quidditch members. Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, and Alicia Spinnet," he pointed them out.

"The three girls are Chasers. Fred and George are the Beaters, our Keeper, Oliver Wood, graduated last year. He's the reserve Keeper for Puddlemere at the moment. I play Seeker for Gryffindor. Been playing since my first year.

Hermione smiled, "You must be really talented. I never liked flying. I wasn't good at it, you see."

"I can teach you, it's very useful for witches and wizards."

Hermione nodded, "Thanks, Harry. At what price?"

"Well, you really don't have to."

"I want to, Harry. There must be some way I can help you. How about I help you with your studies? I can explain things you don't know, but I won't help you cheat in your homework."

"Alright, thank you, Hermione."

"No, thank you, Harry."

**********

After dinner, Hermione followed Harry to the Gryffindor tower. She was very nervous, and Harry seemed to sense her uneasiness.

"Don't worry, Hermione. They won't do anything to you."

They stopped at the portrait of the Fat Lady. Hermione watched in fascination as a small corridor opened, and she stepped into the regal splendour of the Gryffindor common room.

The room was quiet; there was no one in the common room except one of the Chasers, but whose name she could not remember.

Harry steered her into the room, and let her explore a little.

"Harry, who's this?" the girl asked, her eyes smiling. Hermione decided she like this Chaser immediately.

"Oh, Hermione, this is Alicia Spinnet. Alicia, this is Hermione Granger."

Hermione shook hands with the smiling girl, before Harry turned to her, and said, "We're a little early. Soon, the common room will be crowded."

Alicia was eyeing Hermione with a smile, "Let me bring you around to see the girls' dormitories."

Hermione nodded and turned to Harry.

"Go on, I'll wait here for you." He said, and smiled gratefully at Alicia for being friendly to Hermione.

Alicia nodded, and signalled to Hermione, who followed her carefully. After the tour, Alicia left her with Harry again. By then, it was already very noisy, yet no one ignored Hermione, whose looks set her off miles apart from everyone else.

The common room drew in a hushed breath as she sat next to Harry. "Want to visit my place now?"

He nodded, and they departed. When the portrait door closed, the common room again burst into noises. This time, though, it was about the pretty Beauxbatons girl and Harry.

**********

Hermione drew in a breath as Harry entered her dormitory; no one had seen them yet. She shut the door behind them in relief.

"Bonne nuit, Hermione," a voice said.

Hermione spun around quickly. "Oh, Lav, you scared me!" she exclaimed. "I was showing Harry around the carriage, and I didn't want to let Madame Maxime know that. Or anyone else for that matter."

Lavon brought Harry over to Hermione's bed, where books were scattered around. "Now, you know that your charming girlfriend isn't what she seems to be. She's a bookworm!" Lavon announced.

Harry and Hermione blushed, and said simultaneously, "We're friends!"

At that moment, after a short Quidditch practice, Renay entered. "Salut, Harry. Seamus told me that you're the Seeker for your house team. Care to play a game with me?"

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Wait for me, I'll go get my broom; Hermione, are you coming?"

Lavon made a strangled sound in her throat. Hermione glared at her, and turned to Harry, "Sure, but the two of you have to teach me on flying later on."

Both of them nodded, and all four walked out of the carriage. After getting his broom, Harry led them to the pitch.

Renay and Harry had a fun game, and after a while Cho came along for a little flying, and joined in their game. Hermione and Lavon sat by the side, cheering their friends on. When Cho and Renay got tired, Harry swooped down next to Hermione.

"Great game, guys," she murmured, a little sleepily.

He smiled, and tickled her. She gave a squeal, and jumped up. "Harry Potter! How dare you! You'll pay for this."

She started chasing him around. Harry decided to end the game when he took off on his broom. Hermione glared at him in mock outrage, crossing her arms. He looked down impishly, sticking out his tongue.

"Alright, I give up," Hermione stated. "You have to start your lesson now."

"Ok. Um, Hermione, where are your friends?"

Hermione looked around, and discovered that everyone else had already left. They were alone on the pitch. "I'm sure they left us purposely. Well, anyway, I need a broom. How--"

"Right now, Hermione, you fly with me."

"Alright, Harry." Hermione decided to change the subject, "Have you told your godfather about the contest?"

"He's coming over through the fireplace at midnight tomorrow. Can you come with me?"

"But it's after curfew."

"I'll bring you back with the invisibility cloak, all right?"

"All right; it's not like I haven't done any rule-breaking before." She grinned.

"You mean you're not as well-behaved as you seem?" Harry said, grinning.

"In some cases it cannot be helped." Hermione said indignantly.

"Okay, now, we're taking off."

"I'm ready, let's go."

He helped her on the broom, and they took off. After a successful lesson, Hermione seemed a little cured of her fright of flying.

**********

It was near midnight when Hermione sleepily bid Harry goodnight, and went to her carriage. She fell into bed, but was woken up when someone tapped her shoulder.

"What?" she mumbled sleepily.

"How was your date?"

"What date?"

"I thought you had a wonderful date with our charming Mr. Potter?"

Hermione nearly fell out of bed. Getting up, she said, "What, Lavon? I did not go on any date. It was merely a friend thing. He was tutoring me on flying, while in exchange I'm going to help him in his studies."

Lavon sighed, "Well, whatever. It's time to wake up; it's already seven in the morning. You're getting more un-Hermione every day, must be all the Potter influence on you." Hermione rolled her eyes.

After a quick breakfast, she went to class. The Headmistress was there as custom. She greeted the class more quietly than usual, though there was a look of eager anticipation on her face. Hermione looked confusedly at Lavon, who shrugged her shoulders. Either way they, along with Renay, greeted their Headmistress.

"We're having Charms today. We'll be learning the summoning charm, which is very useful in all kinds of circumstances. Let's begin, shall we? Miss Granger?"

"Yes, madam?"

"I'd like you to demonstrate. I saw you doing a wonderful summoning charm to get your bag. Frankly, I'm surprised it did not hit someone along the way." The Headmistress smiled at her.

Hermione nodded, drew in a breath and pictured her quill lying on her desk in her room, "Accio quill!" she yelled.

The quill came flying into her hand. "Very good, Miss Granger, five points to Fleur," The Headmistress said.

Hermione smiled, and retreated to her sit, amidst admiring looks from her friends. After everyone had a go, they proceeded with History of Magic, followed by Divination, and then Transfiguration. Although the lessons were brief, they had lots of homework for the day.

Hermione decided to go to the library, while Lavon and Renay stayed in their room to play a game of chess. Hermione sat at the table Harry usually visited, and started on her work. Halfway through, she heard the library doors open, and giggles were heard.

Hermione knew it was useless to do any more work. However, she stayed and tried concentrating. Viktor Krum walked around the library, looking at books, and sitting at a table. The giggles grew louder.

"Quiet, girls!" came the sharp, loud voice of the librarian, Madam Pince. She was quite friendly with Hermione, despite it being only a few days since Hermione had come to Hogwarts.

Hermione muttered a "thanks" in her mind. The giggles stopped for a little while, though the peace was too good to last.

In no time, giggles were once more heard throughout the library.

**********

Hermione was almost finishing up her lunch, when Harry came running in through the doors.

"Hermione," he called breathlessly, as he stopped in front of her, "read this note. What do I do?"

Hermione took the note, and gestured to the empty seat beside her. While Harry ate a little food, she read through the note.

"Midnight, invisibility cloak. I think he wants to show you something."

"It seems urgent. Hagrid, he's my friend, has never called me down so late."

"I think you should go, and try to come back as soon as possible. I'll wait by the fire."

"Won't it be too suspicious?"

"If anyone asks, I'll just say ---" She was interrupted by the sound of someone approaching. Footsteps Harry knew so well he did not even have to turn.

"Sod off, Malfoy," Harry said.

Malfoy arched an eyebrow, and said innocently, "Really, I just came over to see if you two were dating. Rumours are already saying you are."

Harry and Hermione gaped at each other. "It's none of your business," Hermione stated firmly, and gave him a glare. "Would you like a taste of my karate skills?"

Malfoy looked at her smugly, but said at Harry, "Potty, need you girlfriend to protect you now?"

"Just sod off, Malfoy," Harry said again.

Malfoy sauntered off, looking proud of himself.