Don't Act Like You Know Me

Year 4 - Good Luck, Granger

Hermione felt weightless. If she had any sense of time at all, she would think that it was about time for the second trial. She knew she had been floating in the Black Lake for the last twenty hours. Her fingers and toes had to be pruned by now. She hoped that Viktor was the first one to reach where the four were stowed. Hermione's stomach had been grumbling for the past ten hours. "Welcome to the second task," a loud voice said. It wasn't loud for Hermione. It was a gentle vibration running through the water. Hermione was able to hear it under the surface just slightly. She wanted to sigh with relief, but she couldn't She was so happy that it was all going to be over in just one hour. "Last night, something was stolen from each of our champions, a treasure of sorts. These four treasures, one for each champion, now lie on the bottom of the Black lake. In order to win, each champion need only find their treasure and return to the surface. Simple enough. Except for this, they will have one hour to do so and one hour only. After that, they'll be on their own. You may begin at the start of the canon." Hermione heard the canon boom and four individuals plop into the water. Her sense of touch and hearing was heightened now that she couldn't see. She could hear four people swimming at different corners of the lake, but she couldn't tell which one was which. The mermaids' voices started echoing through the water. Suddenly, a violent scream ruptured peace. A few minutes later, Dumbledore's voice boomed again. "The Beauxbatons champion, Ms. Delacour, has unfortunately been forced to retire. She will take no further part in this task."

Hermione felt so horrible for Gabrielle. She must be terrified.

Hermione could hear someone being untied and carried away. She grew nervous. Hermione heard someone swimming. This time it was closer than ever before. She hoped it was Viktor. Suddenly, Hermione felt someone untying her feet from the underwater vines. It was Viktor! He was here to save her! The untying stopped.

"But she's my friend, too!" she heard Harry's voice speaking. He was trying to save both of them.

"Only one," Hermione heard one of the merpeople hiss. Suddenly, another body zoomed through the water at an insane speed. Hermione felt a strong arm seize her midsection and carry her to the surface. She spat out water and opened her eyes. The blinding light came flooding into her view. She breathed heavily. Viktor grasped her and pulled her to the edge. People were chanting his name. Viktor sat her down and wrapped a towel around her. He hugged her. Hermione shivered and shook. She saw Cho and Cedric embracing across the way.

"You're good, Hermione. You're safe. I got you," Viktor said. Hermione buried her freezing self into Viktor. They were both soaking wet and cold, but it felt calming and right. Hermione opened her eyes slightly to see Draco. He was far away, but she knew it was him. She could feel his emotions boiling from where she was bundled up in Viktor's arms. Fleur had already been recovered from the lake and was looking uncertainly at the black water. Gabrielle was still down there. Hermione heard another person surface. She sat upright and watched Harry struggle to carry Ron and Gabrielle to the side. 

"Harry!" Dumbledore greeted him.

"Get him another towel," Barty Crouch said.

"I want all the judges over here now."

"You saved her!" Fleur professed to Harry. "Even though she wasn't yours to save! My little sister!" Fleur embraced Gabrielle tightly and wrapped a towel around her. Fleur kissed Harry on the cheek. "Thank you! And you," she looked at Ron. "You helped!"

"Well, yeah. A bit," Ron said. Fleur kissed him on the cheek as well. "Merci," Ron nodded, looking rather pleased.

"I'm going to go greet Harry," Hermione said to Viktor. She brought Harry a towel. "Harry!"

"Hermione," Harry smiled. They hugged tightly. She wrapped the towel around his cold body,

"Are you alright? You must be freezing!" Hermione kissed him on the top of the head.