A/N: I got bored one night and tried to rewrite my original story…review and tell me what you think. Btw this is AU after 5th year

Disclaimer: I don't own anything anyone has seen before

Quest of Life – by Shiechan

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Chapter One: New Beginnings

It was a new day at Hogwarts and 7th year was turning out differently than expected. Voldemort was on the rise and Fudge was an incompetent fool, but the most shocking thing of all had been Dumbledore's announcement to the student body a week ago.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were now a combination of more mature, more sorrowed, and in Hermione's case more easygoing, sat at the end of the Gryffindor table talking each caught up in their own thoughts.

Harry suddenly broke their silence stating, "This wasn't a good idea, you two shouldn't have done it."

Hermione glanced at Ron exasperated that this argument was about to come up again, but before she could ease the conversation, Ron missed her need for subtlety and burst out, "Come on Harry! I know you had problems with the Tri-Wizard tournament 4th year, but this is different it's safer and no ones gonna get hurt! It's gonna be fine!"

"Oh of course it'll be fine," Harry said sarcastically, "after all it's not like anyone died last time, now is it? You two are both incredibly stupid for taking this risk!"

Hermione sighted softly as her friends continued to argue, remembering the announcement that had started the drama.

-Flashback-

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he looked out over the Great Hall and waited for the murmurs to die down, "As I said, I have an important announcement to tell you! After much debate the schools have again decided to host a Tri-wizard tournament and Hogwarts have the honor of being the hosts! In a week students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will arrive and the selections will be made."

Looking out at the shocked faces of the students his blue eyes twinkled more and Dumbledore decided more explanation was necessary, "You see in these dark times, I have decided that more fun is needed in these halls so we will have a tournament. I suppose we shall change the name of it to the Tri-Partner-Wizard tournament as two students from each school will be selected who must work together to compete against all of the other schools. The winners will receive a thousand galleons and an apprenticeship with our mystery world-renowned top professor and. . ."

"Hermione, Hermione snap out of it!"

"Huh," Hermione said shaking her head to clear her fogginess.

"Come on snap out of it," Ron repeated, "they're gong to announce the winners soon."

"Okay," she responded absentmindedly turning to Harry, who was avoiding eye contact, 'at least they've stopped fighting' she though worriedly looking at her friends.

"Please don't be mad, Harry, I know it was a bad experience for you, I get why you're not entering, but an apprenticeship with a top professor is a dream come true with me, and I do know a lot about spells, I just want to try this out. . ."

Harry looked at her resigned, "I know, I'm okay with it really, I just keep remembering Cedric. . .but I understand I'll support you."

Ron burst into the moment as the tri-wizard cup was brought into the Great Hall, "Guys it's about to be announced!" he said envisioning himself holding the prize money.

Hermione looked around the hall at the colored uniforms standing out against the normal black of Hogwarts robes. By now all of the representatives from each house had entered their names into the modified goblet.

As Dumbledore stood to announce the winners, excitement bubbled up inside of Hermione as she was tuning out his speech until the first slip of paper rose from the goblet.

"From Durmstrang we have William Stravenson and Sanguil Jacobs."

Hermione anxiously watched as two tall boys stood up, ignoring their features and the applause, only caring about the upcoming announcement.

"From Beauxbatons we have Ellena Delacour and Carolina Duey"

"The anticipation is worse then waiting for OWL results," Hermione muttered to herself as the final paper slowly came up from the goblet.

"And finally from Hogwarts we have Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy!"

A/N2: If I get some responses and people tell me what they think I'll continue with a much longer chapter that displays Draco's point of view, Hermione's reaction to having him as a partner, the other champions descriptions, and more. . .