Reckless ~ Tomione

Introductions

"What in the name of Merlin?" Abraxas Malfoy shouted, then turned to glare at Hermione. "You-!"

Hermione looked down, forcing herself to look baffled. 

"Draco and I had only put our names in the Goblet because we hadn't expected to be chosen!" she exclaimed. It wasn't a full lie; she and Draco hadn't expected their Confundus Charm to work, and if it didn't, they knew that Tom Riddle was sure to be chosen.

"But surely zis eez a meestake?" one of the Beaubatons girls, Marie LeMay, if Hermione wasn't mistaken, questioned, frowning. "Zer cannot be two 'Ogwarts Champions!"

"Quite right, she eez," Monsieur Mathieu said, standing behind his champion. "If 'Ogwarts eez allowed two champion, not to mention their seconds, we all must be allowed to enter anozzer time!"

"Indeed," Sir Rolfe, the headmaster of Durstrang, who spoked without an accent, declared. "Lukas and Rafaele Karofiev must be joine by another Champion, if Hogwarts decides that they wish to enter more students."

"Alas, I wish it were that easy," Dumbledore sighed, looking around. "The Goblet of Fire has extinguished, and will not re-ignite until the next Tournament, and its flames are weaved with magic. Once a Champion has been chosen, they must compete."

"Zen, eef 'Ogwarts eez allowed two Champions, surely one of them would 'ave to give up their second to, say, 'ave a smaller advantage over zee rest of us?"

"Now, Mathieu, we certainly cannot do that!" a bald man exclaimed from the doorway. His badge reflected the light, but Hermione could still tell that it read: Kylo Baldwin, Department of Magical Games and Sports. "Unfortunately, due to a high level of power that was used in order to Confund the Goblet, Miss Greystone and Mr Arcturus must compete. Their magic, as well as their very being, is now tied in a powerful bond, not only to the tournament, but to each other. If either one of them backs out or doesn't compete in any of the three challenges voluntarily, their lives are forfeit."

Hermione and Draco exchanged looks. Draco's eyes were wide and he opened his mouth, but at a quick glare and a sharp prod in his side, he shut it and looked down at his shoes.

Hermione closed her eyes. If they didn't compete in all three challenges, they would die. Considering, of course, they didn't die first at the hands of a psychopath.

Tom riddle had backed into the far corner with Abraxas. They were talking in low voices which were drowned out by the loud argument between Monsieur Mathieu and Kylo Baldwin.

"...unorthodox, but by law it has to..."

"...EEZ NO BEEG DEAL? ZIS EEZ ZE BEEGEST EVENT BETWEEN ZE SCHOOLS ZIS CENTURY!"

"...all just calm down, I'm sure we can sort this out..."

Hermione looked back over to Abraxas, who caught her eye. She sent a worried look, but stayed still when he gave her a look that clearly said, 'no'. She grabbed Draco and dragged him to another corner.

"What are you doing?" Draco whined. Hermione glared at him.

"We need to do a better job," Hermione whispered. "I can almost feel Riddle's suspicion of us just floating in the air." Hermione sniffed. "Kind of like whatever cheap Muggle cologne you're wearing."

"I am not wearing cheap Muggle cologne," Draco hissed.

"Funny how you know what cologne is when most pure-bloods can't even pronounce it correctly," Hermione mused, pretending ponder the question.

"I received an extensive education."

"Which happened to include what cologne is."

Draco huffed. Hermione laughed, which she realised she hadn't done very much of. She turned to Draco, whose mouth was twitching into a small smile.

"I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

"You're right, I'm not," Hermione agreed. "But will you forgive me anyway?"

Draco snorted.