Time flew by. Professor Binns's lectures had a powerful hypnotic magic, and even though Su Er had slept soundly enough the night before, he still drifted off during the latter half of class. Hermione was no exception.
Yet their hands remained tightly clasped beneath the desk until class ended.
It felt as though one moment they were still in class, and the next they were already in the Great Hall, waiting for the house-elves to serve lunch.
Many people passing Su Er stopped to pat his shoulder or shake his hand, offering their best wishes and hoping he would shine in the First Task.
Only Harry sat alone at the end of the long table, looking dazed and uneasy. Ron chattered away in his ear, but Su Er reckoned Harry had not heard a word.
They had barely eaten a few mouthfuls when Professor McGonagall hurried into the Great Hall.
"Potter-oh, good, Bones, you're here too. That saves me having to send someone else to tell you," Professor McGonagall said.
"The Champions need to go down to the grounds now... you must get ready to complete the First Task."
"Yes, Professor." Su Er wiped his mouth, set his fork beside his plate, and stood up.
Harry shot to his feet as well, his spoon clattering onto his plate.
Hermione stood too and gave Su Er a hug. "Good luck. I'll be watching you from the stands."
"Just watch me." Su Er raised his eyebrows at Hermione. "If I complete the task successfully, can I get a kiss from Juliet?"
Hermione rolled her eyes at Su Er, glanced at Professor McGonagall beside the table, then hesitated before saying quietly,
"That depends on how you do."
Under everyone's gazes, the two followed Professor McGonagall out of the Great Hall and down the