Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

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It was the week of the exams and Hermione was having a hard time. It felt weird for her to not go to her classes to take her exams. However, she did see a bonus to it. It allowed her to have extra practice to learn her spells for the Third Tasks and also she would read to Winky some of the fairy tales she heard as a child or would play games with Winky. Harry and Ron were acting strange those days as well. They looked like they had something to tell her but didn't know what to say. 

Then it came. The day of the third task. As Harry and Hermione were in the common room practicing spells, McGonagall suddenly arrived. 

"Potter and Granger, the champions are congregating in the chamber, please follow me." McGongall told them before turning around. 

"I thought the task's not till tonight!" Harry said freaking out as much as she was. She glanced over her shoulder. 

"I'm aware of that. The champions' families are invited to watch the final task, you know. This is simply a chance for you to greet them." McGonagall said before motioning them to follow. 

"She doesn't expect the Dursleys to turn up, does she?" He asked Hermione. 

"Well, if they don't. You can come and meet my family. Come on, Winky. You can meet my family as well." Hermione suggested to him, while taking hold of Winky's hand, as they walked after McGonagall. 

They made their way down the stairs and towards the Great Hall. Upon entering the Great Hall, they could see Fleur, Viktor and Cedric were talking to their parents. Then she saw Mrs. Weasley and Bill standing by Hermione's parents and Grandma, talking with them before turning and waving at them.

"Surprise!" Mrs. Weasley said as they walked over towards them, "Thought we'd come and watch you, Harry and Hermione!" She then bent down and kissed both of them on the forehead. Hermione couldn't help but notice there was a nervousness to her tone. 

"You all right?" Bill said, grinning at the two of them, "Charlie wanted to come, but he couldn't get time off. He said you two were incredible against the Horntail." 

"Horntail? What's a Horntail?" Hermione's Mother asked, sounding concern. 

"It's a dragon." Grandma Elka pointed out to them before hugging Hermione. Her parents' eyes widened. 

"You faced a dragon? What kind of tournament is this?" her father asked, sounding like he was about to have a heart attack. 

"Which is why I've been sending in Howlers to Dumbledore. I swear they should have the kids to have their parents' permission for them to sign for the tournament. It's stupid they would allow children to fight in this." Grandma Elka said sternly. 

"Harry and I didn't put our names in the Goblet, I swear Grandma." Hermione assured her. 

"Oh I know, sweetie. I just wish I figured out you were in it not by the Daily Prophet. Especially by Rita Skeeter." Grandma Elka growled, "Now where is that awful woman? I just have a few words to give her." 

"Thanks Grandma.... Mrs. Weasley, are you okay?" Hermione asked, noticing she was a bit white. Mrs. Weasley opened her mouth to speak when Grandma Elka cut in. 

"She's like this because I just confirmed to her and Bill that Fenrir and Scabior are a pair of old friends of ours." Grandma Elka claimed with a light shake of her head. 

"Well you would be too when you learn someone you know is actually friendly with one of the most savage monsters in the wizarding world." Mrs. Weasley shot at her. Grandma Elka shrugged her shoulders. 

"How about you kiddos take us on a tour?" Grandma Elka suggested, changing the subject, "I'm sure your parents would love to see all of Hogwarts." 

They walked around all throughout Hogwarts as Hermione's parents stared in amazement at the sight of it and all they saw till it came time for supper. After everyone was done eating dinner, Dumbledore stood up. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you to make your way down to the Quidditch field for the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium." Dumbledore told them. Hermione and Harry stood up from their seats and proceed after Bagman with the other champions towards the stadium. Hermione and Harry were running over the spells in their heads, making sure they remember each and every one of the spells. 

Once reaching there, Professor McGonagall proceeded to explain to them all that She and other Professors will be patrolling around the maze and if there is somehow trouble they get into all they have to do is send up red sparks into the air then one of the Professors will get them. Then Bagman began the introduction. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwaizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand. Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each-- Mr. Cedric Diggory, Mr. Harry Potter and Miss Granger, all three of Hogwarts School!" Bagman paused to allow the cheers to echo on for a bit before continuing, "In second place, with eight point-- Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" more applause. "And in third place-- Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!" 

"Now if Harry, Cedric and Hermione stand before the maze," Bagman ordered. The three of them proceeded forwards where three sections of the maze opened up for all of them, "And now on my whistle... three-- two-- one--" 

There was a blast on the whistle and the three of them proceed to slowly enter into the maze. Hermione had walked about three or four feet into the maze when she heard the hedges behind her closing on her, silently telling her that there was now no way back. She took a deep breath as she proceeded down the maze. She turned a few corners, wondering if she even was going the right way. 

It felt like hours have gone by as she had defeated one of the Blast-Ended Skrewts, a boggart, some annoying vines that wanted to pull her underneath the hedges, and then she came to a gold mist. She was about to go in when she heard a scream causing her to turn around. 

"Fleur?" Hermione called out. There was silence. Hermione wanted to get out more than ever. She looked at the golden mist then shut her eyes and proceeded through it. Hermione kept walking till she felt herself hit a hedge. She opened her eyes as she sighed in relief... until a pair of hands grasped her shoulders.