Afar

Chapter 9

"Harry!" Hermione rushed over to him and Cedric. They were in the library, preparing for the second task. Cedric had finally figured it out and now they only needed to figure out how he was going to breath under water.

    "Hey Mione," Harry sighed and closed the book he was reading.

    "Professor McGonagall needs us to go to her office," Hermione said.

    "I can't, I'm helping Cedric."

    "We have to. She said it was really important."

    Harry groaned but started collecting his bag. "I'm sorry, I'll come back as soon as I can."

    Cedric nodded distractedly and patted Harry's hand. "It's alright, love. I'll be fine. I think I've found something."

    Harry nodded and followed Hermione out of the library.

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *   
    Ron was sitting by himself at the Gryffindor table and looked very concerned. Draco walked over and sat beside him.    

    "Where's Hermione and Harry?" He asked.
    "I don't know. Lavender said that Hermione never came to the dormitory last night and the same thing happened with Harry."

    "Do you think they're alright?"

    "I have no idea. They've never disappeared like this before." Ron looked up as Cedric walked over.

    "Have you seen Harry?" Cedric asked. "He never came back to the library after Hermione and he went to McGonagall's office."

    "No, sorry," Ron said. "He'll show up by the time the task starts. He wouldn't miss it."

    Cedric nodded, but his forehead was creased with worry. He wandered off to the Hufflepuff table.

    Draco looked around the Great Hall. "I'm worried."

    Ron patted his shoulder. "I'm sure they're fine. They'll show up by the time the task starts."

    Draco nodded but didn't look convinced.

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *   
    Harry and Hermione were still missing by the time the task started. Draco was nearly frantic with worry as he ran up to Professor McGonagall.

    "Professor!" He called after her. "Professor, wait!"

    McGonagall turned to him. "Mr. Malfoy?"
    "Hi Professor," Draco panted. "Harry Potter and Hermione Granger are missing."

    "Oh," McGonagall looked away. "I'm sure they're fine."

    "No, you don't understand. They haven't been seen since last night. I'm worried they might be in trouble."

    "Look," McGonagall said. "I suggest that you go take your seat. I can assure you that you're friends are perfectly alright."

    "But-!"

    "Sit down, Malfoy," McGonagall said with a glare.

    Draco groaned loudly and stormed off.

    He made his way to were Ron was sitting.
"Any luck?" Ron asked.

    "No! She completely ignored me!" Draco threw up his hands in frustration. "They could be in trouble! She should be worried."

    "If McGonagall isn't worried, then I don't think we need to be," Ron said.

    "Adults aren't always right, Ronald Weasley," Draco looked furious.

    "I know that, but Professor McGonagall doesn't do anything without a reason."

    Draco slumped in his seat and opened his mouth. His response was lost in the roar of the crowd as Ludo Bagman stepped up in front of the crowd and the champions stepped up to the edge of the lake.

    Diggory's eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar head of black curls. He looked back at the lake, his jaw tight with disappointment. The champions entered the lake and the task began.

    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *
    It was less than an hour before the surface of the lake rippled and Diggory emerged, his hair dripping and his arm wrapped around Harry. Harry was dripping wet and smiling like an idiot as he shivered in the frigid February air. Draco and Ron exchanged looks and rushed down to the lake. Less than 15 minutes later, Krum came out from the lake, Hermione clinging to his arm and looking faintly shocked.

    Draco hovered anxiously on the edge of Pomfrey's tent. She fussed over the returned Champions, muttering about idiots who sent children into a lake in the middle of February. Harry was cuddled up against Cedric and grinning like an idiot. Every so often he'd glance up at Diggory and smile even wider. It broke Draco's heart all over again each time he did.

    At last Madam Pomfrey looked over and gestured to him to let him into the tent. Draco rushed in with Ron a few steps behind.

    "Harry Potter!" Draco shouted.

    Harry looked up and winced. "Hey Draco."

    "Don't 'hey Draco' me, you bloody git," Draco hissed. "You absolute arsehole. I'm going to kill you."

    Harry ducked his head and hugged Diggory. "I'm sorry, I had no idea what was happening until I got to McGonagall's office. She told me what was happening and when I agreed and signed this consent form thingy, and then she put me to sleep."

    Draco squinted at him suspiciously. "I was worried out of my damn mind."

    "I'm sorry," Harry said, looking so damn adorable and genuinely apologetic that Draco's anger melted.

    "As long as you're alright," Draco reached out and ruffled Harry's curls.

Ron nodded and patted Harry's shoulder. "Yeah, we were worried." He turned to Hermione who was sitting next to Krum on another bench.

Her lips were tinted blue and she shivered. Krum looked over at her every once and while, his expression moody and confused.

Hermione stood up and walked over to the group, clutching the blanket tighter over her shoulders. "S-sorry for d-d-disappearing. D-d-didn't know what was happening unt-t-til we were there."

Ron rolled his eyes and pulled her into a tight hug. "I really don't care. I'm just relieved you two are alright."

Hermione relaxed into his embrace and smiled contentedly. Krum glared at them before standing up and storming out of the tent. Pomfrey ran after him, shouting her objections.

Harry looked around at his friends and smiled contentedly. Everything was perfect.

Draco took in the group and frowned. It was all going to shit.