Catching Her Heart Pt. 2

Chapter 100

On the way back to the castle, Hermione learned that dinner would be served early to celebrate the successful completion of the first task, and that they could then retire to their common rooms for any private celebrations with their friends.

"I ask that you not open your eggs here, however," Professor Dumbledore said mysteriously.

Harry and Cedric didn't appear for dinner though, but Hermione wasn't worried. She figured that they were still being treated by Madam Pomfrey, and she wondered to the extent of Cedric's burn. Although Fleur and Viktor made an appearance at dinner, Hermione could tell that they looked exhausted.

Later that night, Hermione returned to the Gryffindor common room with the rest of her house. She was just thinking about going up to her dorm and writing letters to Oliver and his parents when Harry entered and the celebrations began, cheering erupting around him.

Hermione could see that he was enjoying the final acceptance of his house after being rejected and tormented most of the year. She didn't blame him, but she also knew it likely would only last until they found some other reason to shun him. She hoped that he realised this and could cope with it when that time came. For now though, she didn't fault him for spinning around, holding the egg aloft for all to see as they cheered.

"Yes, Harry!" George shouted as he and Fred hoisted him on their shoulders and Harry tossed the egg down to the crowd so that he could hang onto them and keep his balance.

"Knew you wouldn't die," Fred said. "Lose a leg."

"Or an arm," George added.

"Pack it in all together," Fred asked.

"Never!" They cried out together.

The egg was passed around and handed to Seamus.

"Shush!" he shouted, and kissed it before passing it up to Harry. "Go on Harry, what's the clue?"

"Who wants me to open it?" Harry asked.

"Yes," the crowd of students shouted.

"Do you want me to open it?" Harry asked again.

"Yes!" everyone shouted.

Harry flipped the catch on the egg, and it opened with a loud screeching similar to that which had filled the hall when Ron ignored the howler, but not exactly the same. Due to the confines of the room it seemed louder than the howler had been even though the howler had echoed through the hall, bouncing off the stone walls, and Harry was dropped as everyone reached to cover their ears.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Ron asked, standing in the doorway to the stairs leading to the boys' dorm.

Silence followed for a few moments as he and Harry looked at each other awkwardly.

"All right, everyone!" Fred called out. "Go back to your knitting. This is going to be uncomfortable enough without all you nosy sods listening in."

Ron moved slowly into the room, approaching Harry like a wary, scolded dog as the rest of the Gryffindors went back to their party, but made sure to keep it down, so the boys could talk.

"I reckon you have to be barking mad to put your name in the Goblet of Fire," Ron said, trying to break the ice.

Harry nodded, his guard still up, expecting a fight.

"Caught on, have you?" he asked. "Took you long enough."

"I wasn't the only one who thought you'd done it," Ron protested, though he kept his voice low.