What Matters

"You simply don't understand that that person could very well have been me. If Voldemort hadn't needed me—"

"I never said anything like that, mate," Ron said. He looked terrified, because everyone knew Cedric was a thorn in Harry's heart. "We weren't badmouthing Diggory. You completely misunderstood..."

He hurriedly looked to Hermione for help. His gaze startled her, and only then did Hermione realize that her expression had been a little too calm. She quickly put on a flustered look.

Fortunately, Ron did not notice the change in her expression.

"Harry,"

she said "trembling,"

"Don't you understand? That's exactly why... why we need you... We need to know what it feels... feels like... facing Vol... Voldemort."

It was the first time she had said Voldemort's name, and that was precisely what calmed Harry down.

He was still breathing heavily as he sat back down in his chair. Only then did he realize that his hand was throbbing with pain again.

"So, think it over carefully,"

Hermione said softly. "All right?"

Harry did not know what to say.

He was already ashamed of his outburst just now. He nodded, though he did not really know what he was agreeing to.

Hermione stood up.

"All right, I'm going to bed." She tried to make her voice sound more natural, or at least not so pleased. This was only the first step of the task; there was still much to do.

All these tasks were important, because she not only had to turn Harry into someone with a talent for battle, but also help train the other students along the way—Harry could not teach everyone by himself. In the end, she would still have to play the role of a teacher.

"Mm... good night."

Back in her dormitory, Hermione's heart was beating a