0525 Concerns & Joy


    As the Triwizard Champions were finally determined, the much-anticipatedpetition was about to officially begin. Under normal circumstances, Hogwarts Castle should have been brimming with an atmosphere of unbridled jubtion. However, the recent unexpected turn of events had cast a cloud of uncertainty over the proceedings, making everything unpredictable.


    Apanied by Professor McGonagall, Hermione ascended the stone staircase that led to Gryffindor Tower. Each step felt heavier than thest, as if the weight of her newfound status as an unexpected champion was physically dragging at her feet.


    As they climbed, Hermione could feel the weight of countless eyes upon her. The portraits on the walls, normally content to doze or chat quietly amongst themselves, were now very lively. They pointed and whispered as she passed, their hushed conversations creating a soft buzz that seemed to follow in her trail.


    Hermione tried to reassure herself that their discussions weren''t malicious; these portraits simply treated her situation as a noteworthy juicy piece of gossip and an excellent excuse for them to gather in each other''s frames. Still, the constant murmuring and furtive nces did little to ease the knot of anxiety in her stomach.


    As they approached the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, Hermione''s steps became increasingly hesitant. It was only now, standing on the threshold of her house''s entrance, that she realized the true extent of whaty ahead.


    She had thought facing the questioning gazes of so many Wizarding world''s dignitaries in that room behind the Great Hall was frightening enough. But now, Hermione came to the scary realization that what she was about to face – the reactions and judgments of her peers, her friends, her housemates – was even more terrifying.


    Perhaps sensing her growing unease, Hermione felt Professor McGonagall''s hand on her shoulder give a gentle, reassuring squeeze.


    Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the Gryffindormon room, marked by the portrait of the Fat Lady. Professor McGonagall held Hermione back at a subtle distance from the portrait.


    Hermione immediately looked up at her Head of House, her brown eyes wide with a mixture of nervousness and curiosity. She noticed that Professor McGonagall was smiling, but it was a tight smile, one that didn''t quite reach her eyes. It was clear that she was trying to conceal her own worry behind that facade of reassurance.


    "I must admit, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall began, her Scottish ent slightly more distinct with emotion, "this situation is very strange, even for someone who has seen as much as I have at Hogwarts—"


    The professor''s shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly, but after drawing in a deep, steadying breath, she continued in an uncharacteristically gentle tone that Hermione had rarely heard her use:


    "At this juncture, whatever nefarious ns the person who ced your name in the Goblet of Fire might be orchestrating, Miss Granger, the fact remains that you are now, officially, a Triwizard champion. So, I sincerely hope you can embody the true Gryffindor spirit that I know resides within you and face this extraordinary challenge to the absolute best of your considerable abilities, alright?"


    Hermione''s eyes welled up again, a mix of emotions – gratitude, fear, determination – swirling within her. She found herself at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to Professor McGonagall''s expectations. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders, and for a moment, she felt overwhelmed by it all.


    Seeing Hermione''s struggle, Professor McGonagall pressed on, her voice taking on a note of encouragement. "There has always been persistent chatter among certain students that you''re nothing more than a simple bookworm,"


    Professor McGonagall continued, her nostrils ring slightly with disapproval. "Oh, what utter nonsense! The professors have always dismissed such short-sighted talk. But surely you understand, Miss Granger, this tournament presents an unprecedented opportunity to silence those foolish rumors once and for all!"


    "But—" Hermione''s mind was racing with a thousand concerns and uncertainties, but she forced herself to push aside the chaos of her thoughts and focus on Professor McGonagall''s encouraging words.


    "Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have specifically chosen their most capable students, and Cedric is certainly among Hogwarts'' best. Professor Watson has also made it clear that the Triwizard Tournament tasks are extremely dangerous. I simply don''t know enough advanced magic yet, Professor McGonagall, I''m not certain if I can possibly—"


    "Oh, Miss Granger—" Professor McGonagall interrupted her student''s spiral of self-doubt, her voice carrying a rare note of fierce pride,


    "While I don''t precisely know about the teaching standards at Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, I can say with absolute certainty that regarding Cedric Diggory—yes, that boy is undoubtedly excellent, but I firmly believe you are even more exceptional, Miss Granger. If he possesses the capabilities to handle thosepetition tasks, there is absolutely no logical reason why you cannot do the same, if not better!"


    In the bright firelight that flickered from nearby brackets, Hermione stared at Professor McGonagall with wide, disbelieving eyes. She could hardly believe that her stern Head of House had given her such high praise. It was well known throughout Hogwarts that Professor McGonagall was always ''reserved'' when it came to givingpliments to students.


    Seeing Hermione''s shock, a hint of mischief crept into Professor McGonagall''s expression. "Ah, naturally, I trust my rather enthusiastic assessment of your abilities won''t reach Madam Pomfrey''s ears, you understand my meaning perfectly well, Miss Granger?"


    To Hermione''s utter amazement, Professor McGonagall winked yfully. It was an incredibly rare sight, one that Hermione would have thought impossible from someone who always prioritized maintaining her image and authority in front of students. This small gesture, more than anything else, helped to ease some of the tension that had been building in Hermione''s chest.


    As they approached the Fat Lady''s portrait, the sound of voices from within themon room grew louder. Just as the portrait began to swing open, Harry''s impatient voice cut through the noise:


    "I''ve already told you!" he eximed; his frustration evident even through the thick oak of the portrait. "Hermione spent the entire day with me, Ron, Hagrid, and arge group of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students. They can all testify that Hermione couldn''t possibly have had time to put her name in the Goblet of Fire!"


    As the portrait fully opened, revealing the Gryffindormon room, Hermione was struck by the sheer number of people crammed into the space. It seemed that almost every student from first to seventh year had gathered there, creating a sea of red and gold. At the center of the crowd, standing on a table to be seen and heard above the noise, were the few people who had always been close to Hermione.


    "Potter!" Professor McGonagall called out, her face instantly transforming back into the stern expression that Hermione was so familiar with. She stood at the entrance, but her voice easily drowned out by the noisy crowd. Everyone''s attention was focused on Harry,pletely unaware of Professor McGonagall and Hermione''s arrival.


    "Mr. Potter!" Professor McGonagall raised her voice and called out sternly again. "Would you kindly remove yourself from that table this instant?"


    Harry, looking exhausted from repeatedly answering the crowd''s questions about how Hermione had managed to put her name in the Goblet of Fire, seemed to have reached the end of his patience. Despite his insistence that Hermione didn''t have the time and wouldn''t have done such a thing behind their backs, his ssmates seemed to have filters on their ears, blocking out his words. Meanwhile, Ron, who had been testifying alongside him earlier, now remained stubbornly silent.


    At the sound of Professor McGonagall''s voice, Harry''s head snapped up, his eyes scanning the room until theynded on the entrance. He saw Professor McGonagall looking at him sternly, and beside her, Hermione, who managed to give him a small, tired smile.


    "Oh, bloody hell—sorry, Professor McGonagall!" Harry eximed, his face flushing with embarrassment as he scrambled to jump down from his impromptu podium. However, the density of the crowd surrounding the table made his hasty exit rather problematic.


    In his rush toply with Professor McGonagall''s order, he identally fixed his foot directly on Ginny''s toes, causing her to let out a cat-like yelp of pain that echoed through themon room. Harry barely had time to toss a hurried apology over his shoulder before pushing his way through the sea of bodies, not even waiting to hear Ginny''s response, as he rushed to reach Professor McGonagall and Hermione.


    "How did everything go?" Harry asked breathlessly, his green eyes wide with genuine concern behind his sses as he stared intently at his best friend, searching her face for clues about her fate.


    Hermione, clearly aware of why Harry''s voice was so hoarse, pressed her lips together in a thin line and blinked at him. Their years of close friendship allowed Harry to immediately understand that things weren''t too bad; at least Hermione hadn''t been expelled over this, otherwise, she wouldn''t have been able to muster even the faintest smile.


    Slightly relieved, Harry finally started to worry about his own predicament. He stole a quick nce at Professor McGonagall, expecting to see her trademark stern expression. To his surprise, he found that her face wasn''t as stern as he had anticipated. Behind Harry, the Gryffindor students stood in unusual silence, well aware that their Head of House was a professor who greatly valued rules. So many people crowding themon room when they should be in bed clearly wouldn''t please her under normal circumstances.


    But these were far from normal circumstances, and to everyone''s surprise, Professor McGonagall didn''t fly into a rage.


    "The school believes—" she began, her gaze sweeping across the sea of confused and nervous young faces before her, "Regarding the extraordinary events of tonight— specifically concerning Hermione Granger''s selection as a champion —you should know some truths."


    The young witches and wizards leaned forward eagerly, their eyes wide with anticipation as they looked between Professor McGonagall and the silent Hermione.


    "At present, after extensive discussion, the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, and the Durmstrang Institute have reached a unanimous consensus that Miss Granger''s name appearing in the Goblet of Fire was definitely not of her own doing—"


    <em><strong>Whoosh!</strong></em>


    The moment the words left Professor McGonagall''s lips, the previously quiet crowd erupted into a cacophony of excited chatter. Despite Harry''s tireless efforts to convince everyone of this very fact throughout the evening, no one had taken his words seriously. After all, who would be magnanimous enough to secretly enter someone else''s name into the Goblet of Fire, essentially gifting them the opportunity to be a champion and potentially win eternal glory?


    "Who did it then, Professor?" Fred raised his hand high and asked, "Have you found out?"


    "I''m afraid not, Mr. Weasley, not yet!" Professor McGonagall''s voice became slightly colder, "But I believe the truth wille out sooner orter!"


    Angelina Johnson, her brow furrowed in thought, couldn''t help but voice the questions that were on everyone''s minds. "Then how did you determine it wasn''t Hermione herself who put her name in, and why would someone do this?"


    These two questions were equally worth addressing, but unfortunately, Professor McGonagall didn''t provide an exnation. Her silence on the matter was telling – it was a clear indication that this conclusion had been reached through discussion and consensus among the authorities, and no one should doubt it.


    With that, Professor McGonagall seemed to have finished what she wanted to say. She gently pushed Hermione towards the crowd, then, with a nod to the room atrge, she turned to leave. But with one foot already in the doorway, Professor McGonagall paused, as if suddenly remembering something important. She turned back to look at the young Gryffindor witches and wizards, and this time, her expression wasn''t as serious. In fact, there was a hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth.


    "Oh, and one final matter—" Professor McGonagall shrugged and said to everyone in a casual tone, "After extensive discussion and deliberation among all concerned parties, Hermione Granger''s status as a Triwizard champion has been officially confirmed and deemed absolutely valid."


    With that bombshell dropped, Professor McGonagall swept out of themon room, the portrait swinging shut behind her. Shepletely disregarded the floor-shaking cheers that erupted the moment the Fat Lady''s portrait closed, and the sound of jubtion following her down the corridor.


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