The Third Task leads to a death and the Return of Lord Voldemort.

Characters not mine and things are about to get really interesting.

The last few weeks before the third task, flew by in a bit of a blur. Viktor had asked her to come and watch him compete in the final task, a fact that made Draco quite surly and put out. This caused Daphne to snicker in amusement, but Hermione had just shrugged off Draco’s insecurities. It wasn’t as if they were together officially, despite Draco’s protestations to the contrary.

The fact that Draco was obviously jealous of Viktor, was quite the little irony.

When the night of the third task came, Hermione was emotionally prepared for whichever scenario would happen and had contingency plans in place for the subsequent fall-out. She didn’t like not knowing, and could feel her anxiety levels increase as she stood in the bleachers near the front where the Durmstrang students had congregated to support their champion. Perusing the bleachers discreetly, she also noticed Draco standing next to Daphne, Theo and Blaise.

The former pair, whispering to themselves quietly.

The four champions were standing in front of a large hedged maze, anxiously waiting for the task to start. Mad-eye Moody was standing next to Potter, while Cedric was being supported by his father. Fleur and Viktor were flanked by their school’s Headmistress and Headmaster respectively.

Soon Dumbledore came out and made the announcement in preparation for the starting the task by introducing each champion and their positions. It would seem that Potter and Diggory would be entering the maze first, followed by Viktor and then Fleur. Hermione held her breath as the canon shot off, signaling the start of the competition. When she glanced over briefly and caught the worried look on Draco’s face?

He just returned her look with one of uncertainty.

She nodded once and watched his face drain of color, as he silently understood her meaning.

It seemed like the task was taking forever, but soon red sparks shot into the air, signifying Fleur’s removal from the competition.

Then Viktor was retired soon after, and he seemed a bit shaken up too.

More time passed, and Hermione could feel her hands digging into the ledge of the stadium as she watched Moody with a fixed gaze. His eye locked onto her’s momentarily, and she raised her eyebrow in silent challenge, causing the man to glower heatedly at her.

Distracted, she missed the uproar of the students as they cheered the return of Potter and Diggory. Breathing in a sigh of relief momentarily, it was short-lived as she instantly noticed that Cedric and Potter weren’t moving at all. Dumbledore walked swiftly over, to check and see what’d happened, along with Cedric’s father and Professor Moody.

Suddenly there was a cry of anguish from Amos Diggory—as clearly—his only son was dead.

Hermione then looked at Potter, as Dumbledore was able to bring him back to a conscious state, asking the boy what happened. Potter kept shaking his head in obvious confusion, appearing completely disoriented even with the bloody stains on his person.

Shite!

She hadn’t actually prepared for the possibility that one of the other champions wouldn’t survive, but subconsciously had realized it could happen. It was unfortunate, but definitely something she could work with.

She was curious as to how it happened, and wondered if her Father would eventually, be forthcoming with the information.

The crowd had become silent upon seeing how anguished Amos Diggory was over his son’s death. Dumbledore motioned to Professor Moody to take Harry away from the spectators, the young man clearly devastated over what had happened, but he also seemed to be genuinely confused as to how it happened, as he kept shaking his head—whenever anyone asked him a question. Hermione watched the exchange closely, and was convinced that her father had taken her suggestion and obliviated Potter before he returned him via the port-key.

The possible confirmation that her father had taken her advice, made Hermione feel a bit more confident—when she had been feeling nothing but uncertainty for the last few days.

Walking silently towards her usual spot by the Black Lake, she was quick to check to see if she was being followed. Assured that she didn’t see anyone, she silently cast a ‘Hominem Revelio’ and was relieved when there was no one disillusioned, who might be spying on her. When she got to her usual spot, she didn’t have long to wait before Nagini appeared. Per usual, the snake rested her head on her lap, silently allowing her mistress to pet her.

“Are you well, young one?” Nagini hissed.

Hermione nodded absently. “Yes, Nagini. The third task is done and the Potter boy lives. It would seem that the Diggory boy is dead, and I’ll admit I’m curious to know how that happened. Apparently, Father’s servant forgot to place repelling wards around the cup to keep the other champions away. Is the man incompetent?”

Nagini’s body shook, almost like she was laughing. “I only met the wizard once, last summer, and he seemed a bit unstable. Have you been able to sense your Father’s magic returning?”

Cocking her head at the snake questioningly, she admitted, “I haven’t noticed a difference, but then? I’ve been distracted.”

Nagini nodded. “Close your eyes, young one—and reach out with your magic. You will be able to sense him now.”

Hermione did what Nagini suggested and concentrated on her magic. She could feel her core expanding, searching. She had the piece of her Father’s soul, so she started to fixate on the Dark Magical signature and soon she was able to feel an ebb of magic pulsating along her own, in response.

It was almost like an echo, but as she let her mind focus on its pattern, she could feel an answering push at her magical core.

Opening her eyes in wonderment, she smiled.

“I can feel something pushing against my magic! Is that my Father’s magical signature?”

Nagini hissed in affirmation. “Yesss, it is.”

“That’s incredible!” She was always excited when she learned something new about her magic. “Will you be staying here at Hogwarts until the train leaves Monday?”

Nagini nodded. “I’ll return to Master once you’re safely on board. He wishes to know where you’ll be this summer.”

“I’ll be going to Godric’s Hollow for part of the summer. A witch, Madeline White has been tutoring me in a few magical subjects and etiquette. She’ll be meeting me at Kings Cross, as my adoptive parents will be out of the country for a while.”

“I’ll tell Master. Stay safe, young Mistress. I’ll be seeing you soon.”

“Give Father my best, Nagini—and stay safe too.”

The snake nodded once, before she slithered away into the shadows.

Hermione recast the disillusionment charm on herself, walking slowly towards the castle. So her Father had finally returned, and he hadn’t killed Harry Potter.

Cedric Diggory was dead and that was unfortunate.

He’d never been outwardly mean nor cruel to her, although some of his friends had been dismissive over the years. Hermione breathed another quiet sigh—but this one of relief, that Viktor hadn’t been harmed. Even though she didn’t hold romantic feelings for the Bulgarian wizard, she would’ve been upset, should he’d been killed.

Strolling through the castle corridors, Hermione started walking towards the Room of Requirement, when she heard voices coming from another corridor that headed towards Dumbledore’s office. When she peered around the corner, she noticed Snape and Karkaroff illuminated by a strong ‘Lumos’ spell, standing alone arguing with each other. Karkaroff had his forearm exposed, causing Hermione’s eyes to widen at the appearance of the Dark Mark on his arm. She had known that the Durmstrang Headmaster had been a follower of her Father, before he’d sold out Barty Crouch Jr. for his freedom. The man seemed positively frightened at the noticeable swirling mark, fully understanding what it represented. Snape however, seemed utterly indifferent to the man’s pleas, leaving him alone in a swirling mass of robes, heading towards another part of the castle.

Hermione silently waited until Karkaroff left, before she continued on towards her room. The castle was eerily quiet, leaving her feeling a bit unsettled.

Changes were coming, for good or bad.

This moment was a brief reprieve and her whole life would be changing unequivocally, once she set foot off the Hogwarts Express Monday.

Upon entering the Room of Requirement, she started gathering all her things she would be taking with her to Godric’s Hollow and placed them into her beaded bag. She had added weightless charms, as well as undetectable blood wards on the bag—which also included specific wards that only recognized her magical signature.

Grabbing her journals, additional texts and the two horcruxes—she carefully placed them into her bag and sealed it shut. She then gathered her clothes, text books and other personal items, placing them into her school trunk. Once she was satisfied with her work, she left the room—silently asking it to remain hidden from anyone seeking to access it other than herself (a nifty trick she’d read in one of Salazar Slytherins journals), and left—replacing the proper concealment charms before deciding to head for the Slytherin Common Room. Her house would be shocked to see her, after being absent all year, but she was curious as to the gossip after tonight’s spectacle.

Catching people unaware was always a good thing, and luckily for her? Daphne had given her the dorm password just a few days ago.

When Hermione finally reached the Slytherin Common Room and the door opened, she walked in noting that the room was full of people from all the years. Most seemed to be quietly talking amongst themselves but a few, including Draco and Daphne—were silently staring into the fireplace. Hermione lifted the concealment charm and stepped further into the room, when Marcus Flint, recognizing her, sneered openly.

“What are you doing here, mudblood? No one wants you here!” The Quidditch Captain spit out hatefully, but Hermione just rolled her eyes at the older boy, noticing Draco standing up and storming over towards the seventh year.

“What have I said about calling Granger that name, Flint?” Draco growled in anger, his wand pointed threateningly at the older boy.

“So you’ve become a mudblood lover, have you, Malfoy? I wonder what your father would say, if he knew where your loyalties lay?”

Draco smirked evilly, “Maybe you can ask him, Flint, next time you see him. But until then, back off!”

Seeing the situation quickly deteriorating, Hermione put an arm on Draco’s arm and shook her head reprovingly. The blonde, with his wand still pointed at Flint, slowly directed her to come sit with him and his friends.

Flint just smirked and went back over to where Pucey and Montague were sitting, muttering under his breath about ‘mudbloods getting theirs,’ while Draco sat Hermione down next to Daphne.

Daphne smiled warmly at the little witch. “It’s really good to see you, Hermione. I wasn’t sure if you were going to ever set foot in the Slytherin Dorms again.”

Hermione returned the smile. “Under the circumstances, I felt it might be prudent. I’m sure Professor Snape will be by soon to check in on all of us. I’d figured this was easier than the alternative, at least for now.”

Theo, Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe, Bulstrode and Goyle were all quietly observing the conversation. Finally Theo piped up to ask what he was sure everyone else was thinking.

“You’ve never cared about what was ‘prudent,’ Granger—so why should any of us believe you suddenly care now.” Draco glared at his friend who looked back at him with a raised eyebrow. “You know I’m right, Draco. Just because you’ve chosen to overlook the fact that Granger has abandoned our house, doesn’t mean the rest of us do.”

Hermione just smirked indulgently at Theo. “I believe it was your lot who abandoned me, Nott, so let’s not pretend that my ostracism from Slytherin House was due to anything other than misguided blood prejudice. You’re right however in that I chose to leave, because I haven’t felt safe in this house for the better part of four years. I know you all agreed to support Draco’s decision to defend me, albeit reluctantly, I’m sure. I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m not going to serve up empty platitudes to make anyone here feel better about the fact that you’ve all been hateful to me. So, in that spirit? I came here tonight to assuage my curiosity. What did you think of the last task, Theo?”

Theo was a bit surprised by Hermione’s direct confrontation and complete change of subject. He looked to his friends, who were watching the scene with wariness, not sure how to respond themselves. Glancing over at Draco and Daphne, Theo noted that they were completely relaxed—which made him feel even more uncomfortable.

“I’m not sure what you are asking, Granger? Diggory is dead. Potter is...well who knows? It’s all really unfortunate, I suppose.”

“Hmmm,” Hermione mumbled noncommittally, “I suppose that’s one way to look at it. I’m surprised you don’t have more of an informed opinion, Nott. Your father is quite well-connected, from what I’ve always gathered, similarly as Draco’s father is?”

Theo flinched, while Hermione just considered him passively for a few moments before stating, “I’m tired, so perhaps you could come with me, Daphne?”

Daphne nodded quickly, and the two witches headed towards their dorm room while Theo just looked like he’d been sucker-punched.

When the two girls had disappeared, Theo rounded on Draco and sputtered, “What the bloody hell was that all about, mate?”

Draco just leaned back lazily into his chair and smirked at his friend. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Theo.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Draco. Granger just inferred that she knows my father is a Death Eater, same as yours. How would she know that?”

Draco placed a silencing charm around them and leaned forward towards his friends. “Hermione knows more than you realize. I’m not at liberty to say anything yet, but I would be careful...all of you. Things are changing. I know your father has written to you, Theo, just as mine has. There is more going on than you can possibly imagine.”

“And you know what that is?” Theo scoffed angrily, while Draco nodded sternly.

“Things aren’t always what they appear to be, Theo. Just remember that.”

Theo sat back in contemplation while the other fourth years just seemed confused.

Draco stood up and headed for his dorm room, while the other Slytherins watched him go.

“What do you think Draco meant by that?” Pansy whispered warily.

“I don’t know, but it can’t mean anything good, that’s for sure.” Blaise responded worriedly. “I’m heading for bed too, come on guys.”

Motioning to his fellow dorm mates, they all got up and left.