Author's note:

Hey guys I'm sooooooo sorry about the hiatus, but I've been finishing college. I will definitely try to update on a regular basis. Otherwise thank you for staying with me this long and enjoy

Chapter 12:

With the months of submissions for the tri-wizard tournament coming to close, the castle was alive with thoughts of who the champions might be. Instead of one champion per school, Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and a new American school Alkazars, would be submitting four champions each, one per house. For Hogwarts, every house had submitted their champion's name into the cup, except Gryffindor. It seemed no one from Gryffindor wanted to enter, or –in Hermiones opinion- they were waiting for an entry from the golden trio to enter.

As the month wore on Hermione, Harry, and Ron were pestered nonstop to enter into the tournament. Soon it became a frenzy, everywhere the trio went people were asking them if they had submitted, why they haven't, and when they were going to. Harry had flat out refused, and wasn't asked again, but with the boy-who-lived out of the running the pressure landed on Hermione and Ron to offer themselves up to the vicious tournament.

On the morning of the final day for submissions, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. 'One more day' she told herself. If she could make it through today it would all be over, sure her fellow Gryffindors would be upset, but that really didn't bother her. Wearing what almost looked like a smile, Hermione tucked into her eggs, completely unaware of professor McGonnagal 's arrival into the hall, until her shadow fell over Hermione's breakfast.

"A word Ms. Granger?" Hermione looked up, trying to keep herself composed. It wasn't only students who had been pestering them, staff had begun to ask the trio about their plans to enter the tournament, most of the time they were able to avoid conversation but now Hermione was trapped, and she knew it.

"yes professor." Hermione answered mechanically. She glanced up at the heads table to find Severus, but sadly his seat was empty. He was working on a new potion, and lately had taken to eating in his rooms. Hermione followed McGonnagal into an empty classroom. Once alone she turned to Hermione.

"Ms. Granger, as you know, today is the final submission date for the tri-wizard tournament, and Gryffindor has yet to submit a champion…"

"you know professor its very misleading saying TRI-WIZARD tournament, when in fact 12 wizards will be competing." Hermione said matter-of-factly. If possible, Professor McGonnagal's thin lips became thinner.

"Ms. Granger this is no time for smart remarks! I've pulled you aside to let you know, Gryffindor needs a champion, and if by the end of the day no one has submitted, I will submit your name as our champion." Hermione's eyes grew wide in shock.

"you CANT do that. It's not allowed in the rules! I will not be the Gryffindor champion! I don't want to! Haven't I seen enough horror, without going through it for sport!" McGonnagals features softened

"Hermione dear, we need a champion, and it has to be one of the golden trio, harry won't do it, so you're our only option."

"what about Ron? We're the Golden trio not the golden duo" Hermione replied through gritted teeth.

"Mr. Weasley is well…Mr. Weasley, we need you, you're the smarted witch of your age, and a war hero. It will simply look better if you were our champion. Like it or not your name is going into that cup!" without another word McGonnagal stormed out of the room leaving a flabbergasted Hermione in her wake.

Hours later, Hermione had made her way to the dungeons. She hadn't seen Severus all day, and with this new news she really needed a friendly face. Silently allowing herself into his chambers Hermione saw him doubled over a cauldron working, his black hair once again tied at the nape of his neck. Severus was so involved with his potion he didn't notice Hermione until she announced herself

"Severus? Do you have a minute?" he looked when he heard her voice. Giving her one of his rare smiles he replied

"for you I have a lifetime. What's wrong love?"

Severus stepped away from his cauldron casting a spell to alarm him when the potion is ready for the next ingredient. He led her to the couch, and Hermione started to recount the entire ordeal. Once she finished, Snape looked livid, he couldn't believe Minerva would stoop so low. Pulling her close he whispered in her ear

"it won't be to terrible. I'll be with you the whole way, nothing will happen to you, and your friends will be right there with you. Think of this as yet another academic challenge. You've never been one to back down from a fight, so why start now?" Hermione gave a small sniffle. He was right, she would accept the challenge-not that she had much say in the matter- but she would dutifully represent Gryffindor house in the tournament. Hermione snuggled closer to Severus, the smell of his cologne and the safety of his strong arms always comforted her, and right now she didn't want to leave.

"can I stay here tonight?" she asked with a lustful glint in her eye. As she spoke, Hermione swung her leg over his lap so she was straddling him. She started grinding her hips into him, as she laid feather light kisses on his neck. Immediately Hermione felt him respond, Severus pulled her down to him as his tongue explored her mouth. In an instant he was on top of her, pressing her into the dark green couch as she reached for his belt buckle and pulled down his pants, letting his swollen member spring free.

"yes." He answered as he removed her clothes with a flick of his wand. He loved the way she looked naked and squirming in anticipation. The light from his fire place illuminated her face in a way that made her look ethereal. Severus slowly pushed himself into her. He relished the feeling as her juices coated him, and she moaned in pleasure. Hermione's breathing quickened, her moans becoming louder and louder with every thrust. It was times like these with Hermione that Severus was thankful for the sound proof charm around his quarters. He could feel her tightening around him, she was close, as was he.

"Severus! Oh my god Sevreus!" Hermione moaned as she went to pieces in his arms. Hermione's orgasm brought Severus to his own, as he unloaded himself deep within her. Hermione and Severus both collapsed on the couch exhausted, just as the timer for his potion went off. He kissed her lightly on the lips.

"back to work." He said reluctantly.

"I'll be in your bed reading… I feel better now." She said laughing lightly. Severus' only response was a deep chuckle that sent shivers up her spine. Hermione went go to his quarters when she realized all of her things were in her room.

"actually I'll be right back, I don't have anything I need for the morning, and seeing as its after curfew I could make it look like I'm just doing rounds." She said moving toward the door

"be back soon, and be careful." Severus said kissing her goodbye at the door. Hermione walked down the hall wrapped up in her own thoughts. Her feet were carrying her wherever they wanted to. She was so engrossed in thought she didn't notice her wrong turn into a classroom until a loud moan pierced through her thoughts

"Oh Harry!, yea just like that uhhhh" Hermione's head shot up to see her best friend on his knees swallowing Draco's penis in the front of the classroom. Draco's head was thrown back in pleasure, his one hand resting on the back of Harry's head. Hermione was caught so off guard the words escaped from her lips before she could stop herself

"what the fuck!" Harry and Draco stumbled apart quick as lightening, and draco quickly pulled up his pants. Harry looked at Hermione terrified of her opinion, and Draco, par as usual, just looked bored.

"Hermione, I can explain…!" Harry said frantically. The brunette simply burst into laughter. Of all things to find!

"Harry there's no need to explain. I don't care, love who you love….or hook up with whoever it's none of my business. As long as you're happy….but I've always had a feeling." She said giggling. Harry face broke into a lopsided grin.

"so, you're ok with this?" he said gesturing between himself and Draco. At this Draco looked up slightly. He knew how much Ron and Hermione meant to Harry, and for at least on of them to approve was purely epic

"Harry of course I'm ok with this, Ron won't be, but I am. And on that note, goodnight boys, I'm going to go get my things and see my own boyfriend." She said turning. Draco chuckled

"hey ask Snape to grade my potions essay while you're there will you? I'm tired of waiting for it." Hermione chuckled and turned toward draco.

"you knew?" she asked perplexed

"of course I knew..i've never seen a Gryffindor hang out in a dungeon that much." He said smiling.

"well in that case, you'll get it when you get it…he's not grading anything tonight." she said over her shoulder as she walked away. Tomorrow would be terrible, with the champions announcement, but at least tonight she could relax and allow her mind to quiet until the storm that is the Tri-Wizard tournament wreaked more havoc on her life.