There was a horrid screeching noise. Dumbledore was crouched down next to the lake, talking to what seemed to be the head merperson - a fierce looking female. They were speaking to each other in the same sort of screeching noises that had come out of the golden egg. He got up and said "A conference before we give the marks, I think"
The judges huddled together. Madam Pomfrey, who had been attending to Ron, went over to Fleur and her sister Gabrielle, but Fleur refused to let herself get checked on
"Look after Gabrielle" she said, before turning to Harry "You saved 'er, even though she was not your 'ostage"
"Yeah" said Harry, who went very red as Fleur proceeded to kiss him on each cheek. Hermione grinned
"And you too-" said Fleur, turning to Ron. Hermione's smile slid off her face "you 'elped-"
"Yeah" said Ron eagerly "yeah, a bit-"
Fleur kissed him on the cheek. Hermione glared at him, but he didn't notice
Ludo Bagman's magically magnified voice made them all jump, and silenced the crowd
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached our decision. Merchieftainess Murcus has told us exactly what happened at the bottom of the lake, and we have therefore decided to award marks out of fifty for each of the champions, as follows..."
"Fleur Delacour, though she demonstrated excellent use of the Bubble-Head Charm, was attacked by grindylows as she approached her goal, and failed to retrieve her hostage. We award her twenty-five points"
There was a round of applause
"I deserved zero" said Fleur miserably, while Gabrielle grinned at her older sister
"Cedric Diggory, who also used the Bubble-Head Charm, was first to return with his hostage, though he returned one minute outside the time limit of an hour. We therefore award him forty-seven points"
Another round of applause, and the Hufflepuffs in the crowd cheered
"Viktor Krum used an incomplete form of Transfiguration, which was nevertheless effective, and was second to return with his hostage. We award him forty points"
Hermione grinned at Viktor
"Harry Potter used gillyweed to great effect" Bagman went on. Gillyweed! Of course! "He returned last, and well outside the time limit of an hour. However, the Merchieftainess informs us that Mr. Potter was first to reach the hostages, and that the delay in his return was due to his determination to return all hostages to safety, not merely his own"
Hermione gave Harry an exasperated look. Of course he did
"Most of the judges" and here, Bagman gave Karkaroff a dark look "feel that this shows moral fibre and merits full marks. However... Mr. Potter's score is forty-five points"
Hermione and Ron stared at him, before bursting out laughing and clapping with everyone else
"There you go, Harry!" Ron called "You weren't being thick after all - you were showing moral fibre!"
"The third and final task will take place at dusk on the twenty- fourth of June" says Bagman "The champions will be notified of what is coming precisely one month beforehand. Thank you all for your support of the champions"
Madam Pomfrey herded the champions and hostages up to castle to get changed into clean clothes. Hermione walked with Viktor to the Durmstrang ship. Hermione tried to ignore Ginny, who just happened to be going the same way, albeit about fifteen paces behind. They reach the ship and faced each other
"About my offer" Viktor started
"Listen, Viktor" said Hermione carefully "I'll need time to think... It's a big offer..."
"But you vill think about it?" Viktor confirmed
"Yes, of course I will" said Hermione brightly
There was a pause. Something seemed to have changed in the air
"Herm-own-ninny" said Viktor "I really like you"
Hermione went red
"I- I like you too" she stuttered "a lot"
She went even brighter red as he took a step towards her, and another, and another, so there was almost no space between them. He leant down and kissed her. Hermione felt like she had been given a large dose of Pepperup Potion, but in a good way. She felt very warm, in exactly the right way. Viktor broke away and smiled
"I vill see you tomorrow" he said
"Yeah" Hermione said vaguely
YOU ARE READING
Hermione Granger and the Goblet Of Fire (Completed)
Fanfiction(Book 4) (completed) Hermione Granger never expected to have a normal year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So far, she had set a teacher's robes on fire, been attacked by a giant snake and nearly had her soul sucked out by what are es...
Chapter 22 - Black is Back
Start from the beginning
