9. "Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice."
Hamlet Act I, Scene III
*This is my entry for the Shakespearean quotes challenge - okay I shortened the name! My quote is above. The entrance hall sparkled with hundreds of flickering candles, students milled around in dress robes and Viktor Krum was looking particularly dashing. Hermione should have been on top of the world (the general consensus was that she looked stunning) but instead she wore a mild frown. She had really wanted to enjoy the Yule Ball. Ronald had just made a jealous outburst and she didn't understand why. It wasn't like he thought of her as a woman, or even female. Harry was sat with Ron, and Viktor was sullen whenever he was around her best friends. She knew that Ron's attitude about 'talking to the enemy' probably wasn't helping, but that was brought on in part by Viktor's solemnity. She didn't understand that either. He was so lovely when they were alone, full of conversation and smiles. And by Merlin, was he handsome too! She leaned against the stone pillar on the left of the grand staircase, absently admiring the outfits of her fellow students. She was alone as Ron's last comments had been the final straw and Viktor had gone for Champions' photos with Harry. She suddenly felt warm breath tickle her ear and strong arms snake around her waist from behind. "Her-my-nee?" he questioned, stooping to whisper in her ear. "Hello Viktor," she said with a sad smile. He span her around and asked what was wrong with his beautiful partner for the evening. Hermione hesitated and decided to ask him outright. "Why are you so quiet around Harry and Ron? I know they seem foolish and rude (in Ronald's case) sometimes, but they are my best friends." She coloured red as she said this and Viktor's expressive eyebrows pulled downwards and together in consternation. "Her-my-knee, I did not mean to upset you. I like your friends, well, Harry more than Ron. I don't usually talk a lot back at home. It doesn't mean I dislike them." Krum looked genuinely concerned. Hermione was confused. "But you talk loads when we're alone!" That last sentences was said rather loudly and drew a few sniggers from passing ball- goers. It was Viktor's turn to blush. "It is because you are more, how you say?, worth talking to?". "You couldn't have known that when we first met!" she exclaimed. "I watched you for weeks in the library." He said reluctantly, with a shrug. The last time he was this red was when a Wronski Feint he'd been bragging about when wrong in training. "I have a motto, is that the right word?" Hermione nodded, confused but rather flattered she was deemed worthy of his time. "'Give every man thy ear, but give few thy voice.' You may have heard it. A muggle bird wrote it many times ago. I don't understand how though." Hermione snickered but was quite in awe; Viktor Krum quoted Shakespeare? "Viktor," she giggled, feeling much happier, "he was a bard, like a playwright! Not an actual bird!" Krum grinned and pulled the enchanting girl into a tight hug. He was really beginning to enjoy this Triwizard thing. Hermione didn't think it was too bad either. *Hope you enjoyed this! I apologise if the formatting is off, I only have my phone to write on at the moment. R&R?