The Agonizing Wait

As the time gradually drew closer to that crucial day, the Triwizard Tournament once again became the hottest topic around Hogwarts. The same thing that had happened before the first task happened again: wherever you went, you could hear the young wizards tirelessly discussing who would win the second task.

Cedric Diggory of Hufflepuff received even more attention than he had for the first task.

That was only natural, wasn't it?

Although Cedric had always been called Hogwarts's true champion, with Hermione there, Gryffindor students had no need to look farther afield for a Hufflepuff champion to support. But now, things were different.

"Hey, Harry, Ron, is there any news about Hermione?"

It was another new week. Angelina, Alicia, Katie, and several other girls from the Gryffindor Quidditch team entered the Great Hall together from the Entrance Hall. When they saw the two boys at the far end of the Gryffindor table, eating with their heads down and radiating an unmistakable keep-out aura, the girls sighed in disappointment. Still, Angelina asked with a faint trace of hope.

"I've said it at least a thousand times!"

Harry, who had been drinking pumpkin soup, slammed his silver spoon onto his tray with a bang. Without even turning around, he shouted, "Professor McGonagall won't let us write letters because she's afraid we'll disturb Hermione's treatment. If you're all so worried about her, why don't you take leave and visit St Mungo's yourselves?"

Only after he had finished shouting did Harry turn to look at the person who had asked. When he realized that the girl he had made uncomfortable was one of his close comrades on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Harry pressed his lips together. But he did not apologize. Instead, he gloomily picked up his spoon and continued wolfing down his breakfast,