More Important Than Any Broomstick [Harmione]

44. The Graveyard

The weeks passed quickly, and Harry got more and more used to his new magical core. Krum did get a new fifteen-inch wand from Ollivander's shop in Diagon Alley, and was glaring at Harry more than ever. When Harry explained how Viktor got hurt to Hermione, she was quite amused, and was glad that he was once again capable of tripping someone magically, although she admonished him to be more careful.

Before he knew it, Harry was eating breakfast with Hermione on the day of the last task. He was chewing a forkful of eggs when Professor McGonagall walked up to him.

"Potter, the champions are congregating in the chamber off the hall after breakfast."

"But the task's not till tonight!" said Harry, accidentally spilling scrambled eggs down his front, afraid he had mistaken the time.

"I'm aware of that, Potter," she said. "The champions' families are invited to spend the day here with them."

"But Sirius is my only family, and he's sitting at the staff table over there."

"Someone has come to see you," said McGonagall with a slight smile, glancing at Hermione, and walked away.

"Do you have any idea who came?" Harry asked his girlfriend. "Maybe if the Dursleys believed I was going to die, they'd come to watch."

Hermione was slightly smiling but trying to control her expression. "There's only one way to find out."

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After he got through his breakfast and kissed Hermione goodbye, he walked to the room indicated by McGonagall to see who had come. He saw Fleur with her parents and Viktor with his. He didn't miss the glare that the Krums gave him when he entered. He then stopped dead in his tracks when he saw who had come.

A man with brown hair that was just starting to go grey was standing next to a woman with brown, bushy hair, just like Hermione's. Harry smiled broadly as he walked up to Hermione's parents. "Adam! Marissa! I had no idea you were coming! It's good to see you!" He shook Adam's hand and then Marissa pulled him into a hug.

"We told Hermione not to ruin our surprise," she said. "We called her last night and told her."

"She looked like she knew who was visiting."

"So," said Adam, "Hermione was right that your scar is a lot lighter now."

Harry took a deep breath. "Yes. I do feel a lot better without a piece of Voldemort inside me. Your daughter is absolutely amazing. Dumbledore didn't think it was possible to remove it, but she came up with a way five weeks after finding out about my problem!"

"We're very proud of her," said Marissa, "But we're also proud of you. That's why we're here today. To watch you become the youngest Triwizard champion that's ever been."

"At least according to Hermione no one younger has won before you," said Adam.

Harry blushed at the praise. "I haven't won yet," he said.

"But you've mopped the floor with the others for the first two tasks," pointed out Adam.

"So you've got a huge head start into the maze," said Marissa.

"You'll probably win the tournament before the others even enter the maze!"

Harry's face was red. "I don't know about that."

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Harry gave the Grangers a tour of Hogwarts, even showing them the outside of the maze. Hermione was very happy, though not surprised, to see her parents at lunch. They spent time together chatting, and before long it was time for the final task.