Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

115

"What? Ron doesn't believe us? OH! What am I saying, it's clear why he didn't believe us!" Hermione asked as Harry and her walked across the lawn, trying to figure out what had happened. 

"And why's that?" Harry asked her. 

"He's jealous!" 

"Jealous? Of what?" 

"We're getting the attention. We don't mean to, but Ron is upset he's being left out. He's got all those brothers to compete against him at home and we're his best friends and you're famous... and of course, I'm the Heir of White and can talk to animals and... there's this insane man chasing after me!" Hermione grumbled to herself. 

But Ron wasn't the only one they were having problems with. The whole school seemed to turn against them. Hufflepuffs especially, who probably thought Hermione and Harry were trying to steal their chance at glory. Worse even the Slytherins were being complete asses of themselves. Malfoy was making bets on how long Harry and Hermione would last in the tournament and of course, he didn't put them down as lasting long. And as the days kept passing on, it got worst. Especially when they learned people were now wearing badges that would insult both Harry and Herself while saying to support Cedric. 

Worst, Hermione could feel the strength of her control to not upon that trunk with the dementor was lacking. Though she kept telling herself it's not worth it, it kept looking so tempting to her just to utter that phrase and let it reek havoc on the entire school. It caused her to have to slip it underneath her bed. 

However, it got worst when Harry and Hermione had been called up to get their photos taken and have their wands weigh in. 

"We're just making sure the wand if functional, it's going to be very important in your task." Bagman stated to them, "then photo shoot... Oh! And this is Rita Skeeter--" he paused to point at a witch in magenta robes, "She's doing a small piece on the tournament for the Daily Prophet..." 

"Maybe not that small, Ludo," Rita stated, her eyes glued on both Hermione and Harry. Hermione remembered her. Mrs. Weasley and Percy were talking about her article during her stay at the Burrow... and about Mr. Weasley telling her Rita's been trying to get her hands on more information. 

"I wonder if I could have a little word with Hermione and Harry before we start?" Rita asked Bagman, "The youngest two champions, you know... to add a bit of color?" 

"Certainly," Bagman stated, "I mean that is if they do not object to your interview." 

"Er--" Hermione started to object when Rita cut in. 

"Lovely," she stated grabbing both Harry and Hermione's arms then dragging them down stairs, "I think I'll start with the girl. You know, Ladies first, Harry?" 

"Um--" Harry started as they reached a small area. 

"Splendid! In you go, Hermione!" Rita stated, nudging Hermione inside without any care at all. Hermione stumbled into the broom cupboard as Rita then motioned for her to take a seat near the only window in there. 

"You won't mind, Hermione, If I use a Quick-Quotes Quill? It leave me free to talk to you normally?" She said even though she was already pulling out a long acid-green quill and a notebook from her bag. She gave it a quick test run before going into her questioning. 

"So Hermione... what made you decide to enter the Triwizard Tournament?" 

"Er--" Hermione started but she kept her eyes glued on the quill which she read it write...

Beautiful, yet bushy haired girl, who is rumored to be the brightest witch of her age by her peers and other people--

"Ignore the quill, Hermione," Rita Skeeter ordered her, "Now-- why did you decide to enter the tournament? Is it because it's has been a male-dominated tournament throughout the years or is this a personal reason due to your muggle-born upbringing?" 

"I didn't put my name in the Goblet of Fire. I don't know who it was, but it wasn't me." Hermione stated to her. 

"Oh, don't be so scared of getting into trouble. We all know you and Harry shouldn't really have entered at all. But everyone loves a rebel... or do you think it was your charming friend, Barty Crouch Jr. who got you into it?" Rita asked. Hermione felt her face grow red with the heat of rage. 

"He's not my friend!" Hermione shouted at Rita. 

"It's nothing to be ashamed of dearie... everyone falls in love with the villain sometimes," Rita stated, "now how did you and Barty Crouch Jr. meet? Was it planned or was it fate?" 

"We never actually met. He just one day walked into my life, trying to turn it upside down and ruin it. He even attempted to try and kidnap me," Hermione confirmed, though she doubt it was going through Rita's thick skull. 

"Do you think that may be caused by an obsession he has of you?" 

"Doubtful. I think it's more of the fact, he's mad." 

"Now back to the tournament, dearie. How do you feel? Excited? Nervous?" 

"Upset, I never even want to go into the tournament in the first place. Especially when Dumbledore told us people died during the tournament." 

"But you have faced death before a couple of times with Harry? How would you say that's affected you? Especially when you figured out you can control one's death in the very palm of your hand?"

"Pardon?" 

"I heard rumors that tell me you are not only the living Heir of Betty White, but also of the notorious Iracebeth, who was famous for controlling dementors. How does that make you feel knowing your veins pulse the same blood as Iracebeth's blood?" 

"I think we're done here," Hermione stated, standing up and hurrying out the door. She rushed outside but before she could warn Harry to come with her, Rita came zooming out of the room and dragged Harry inside then slammed the door on her face. Hermione huffed before storming up towards the Wand Weighing ceremony and tried to forget what Rita had said in that room.