A/N: This is my very first fanfiction and I do hope you all enjoy this story.

The story line starts on Hermione's fourth year following the content from the original books with a bit of added AU. I adore J. K. Rowling's amazing world and she is the owner of it all, the only thing I claim here is my love for her books.

I've noticed lots of mistakes on my first uploaded texts and decided to review the chapters again. I hope the ideas are ordered in a better way now.

Chapter One: I won't dance, don't ask me

December 1st, 1994.

The late hour and the scottish winter turned the walls and empty halls of the castle into cold stone. However, coming from the kitchens was a female teenager with bushy chestnut hair whose body was covered in sweat. She carried a heavy looking backpack and held two bananas in her hand. Her steps echoing in the halls were hurried for her curfew time was about to start. That night she was exhausted, hungry and in desperate need of a shower. Yet, the girl was happy and confident because she believed she had figured out how to step to the second part of her plan.

Said girl, who often used the library as a refuge from the chatty Griffindor common room, was startled when one afternoon, a few days after the first task of the Triwizard Tournament; Viktor Krum decided to sit next to her on her work table. She had realized, by then, that he had some interest in either something or someone in the library for he went there day after day and just stared around for hours while pretending to read, which actually made her annoyed because his fan club was always stalking him and troubling the quietness she sought in her sanctuary.

That day, thought, it was different. He had somehow managed to get rid of his followers and his looks were not of confidence. Actually, he looked quite like a dear caught in headlights, especially since he was a bit awkward carrying a backpack, an item that Hermione did not really believe he owned until now. Not really used to engaging in small talk, the brains of the Golden Trio acknowledged Krum's presence and went back to her readings figuring that if he had the intention of speaking he would have done it already.

The day progressed quietly and Hermione was pleased when she realized that the whole time they shared the table, Krum not only managed to get some essays done, but also kept his notes neatly folded in order to avoid disturbing her. How thoughtful, Harry and Ron could learn a bit from him... A few hours later, Krum got up and left without a word. Boys, I'll never understand them, she thought.

The next day, Hermione went to her regular table in the corner of the library as she did every day and started her studying routine. She was absorbed writing the Transfiguration essay that was assigned that morning when her thoughts were interrupted by a deep and hoarse voice.

"…vondering if you vould like to…to…" Krum stammered obviously trying to say something important but struggling with the language and something that seemed like anxiety.

"I'm sorry; I just realized you were talking to me. What did you say?" Hermione said in an apologetic tone wondering what would make the famous Quidditch player so nervous.

The boy took a deep breath and extended a hand in what seemed like an afterthought. "I vanted to introduce myself. I'm Viktor", he said.

"Yes, I know", she replied and, seeing the questioning look he directed towards her, added: "I think the whole school is in awe with the temporary presence of a famous Quidditch player who happens to be living on our grounds".

Suddenly realizing that Krum was still awkwardly standing with his hand outstretched waiting for a handshake made Hermione blush and regret not saying her name in response instead of making the boy even more uncomfortable. "I'm sorry for my impoliteness. I'm Hermione Granger" she said with a warm smile while shaking his hand.

"I'm pleased to meet you Miss Grangerr", he said bowing.

"There's no need for formalities, though I'm flattered", Hermione said nonchalantly, "Hermione is fine".

The boy opened a smile so bright at her invitation to use her first name that the Gryffindor girl wondered if he was a shy person within instead of a mere reproduction of the mask of the athletic champion from Durmstrang he presented on the outside.

"You should call me Viktor, then, Herrmowny", he said.

Hermione laughed lightly at his poor attempt to pronounce her name properly, but nonetheless said "Of course, Viktor".

Seeing that the boy seemed quite pleased with their short dialogue and did not look like he was going to say anything else for a while, she returned calmly to her essay. A few minutes later, she forgot there was someone beside her and started scribbling furiously with her quill on the parchment, which seemed to amuse Viktor who started snickering and blurted a deep laugh when he saw her annoyed look directed to him.

"What?" she said looking embarrassed to be caught off guard when her natural vigorous student persona took charge of her actions.

"It's just that you look adorable vhen you dig in your studies", he said as an explanation. Seeing her disbelieving look, he took her hand and told her "I think you are the most interesting and pretty girl in this school. That's vhy I vanted to ask you to go to the ball vith me".

Hermione thought that, had she not been so stunned, she would die of laughter watching his face become greener by the second. The girl opened her mouth and closed for about half a minute until she was able to say something properly. Merlin. Help. Me. Viktor Krum just asked me to the ball. Me! Hermione Granger. Did I understand it right? Probably not. He must be mocking me. I bet his friends will appear soon and they will laugh because they tricked the poor bookworm from Gryffindor. Yet, he does seem honest. Like 'she will reject me, I'm green' honest. What do I do?

"I'm sorry?" was the only thing she was able to say considering her inner turmoil going on.

"Herrmo…Hermowny, vould you like to go to the ball vith me?" he said putting on a mask of confidence.

"Hm, Viktor, you see, this request is a little sudden…I was definitely not expecting it…Definitely not…" Hermione stopped midsentence when her brain started to process the sad puppy look that took place in Viktor's face. Wait. He was actually serious. He, Viktor Krum, wants to go the ball with a fourth year bushy haired girl from Hogwarts. He has girls that look like models chasing him and he wants me. Me! The bookworm from the library. What am I doing rejecting a nice guy who actually seems to care if I want or not to go to the ball with him? "You know what? Enough of this nonsense. Viktor, I would be honoured to go with you to the ball!" she said opening a large smile.

For the next two days, Hermione was so excited that even Ron noticed something was different.

"What's up, Mione?" he said with his mouth full of breakfast the morning following the invitation.

"Nothing, Ron. Chew with your mouth closed or I'll tell your mother", she said with a childish smile on her face, which made the boy even more suspicious since she did not take his terrible table manners lightly on any regular day.

While Ron looked at her weirdly, Hermione was having an internal debate. Okay! Let's see… I have to make some lists in order to guarantee that the ball's evening perfection. Dress. I need a dress! Okay, you have less than a month to get the perfect dress. I also need to choose a hairstyle, the makeup I am going to wear, shoes... Oh, my. I'm rambling. But ok: earrings, necklace, rings, perfume, body lotion… For Merlin's sake, I never thought Lavender had this much trouble every day to get things related to her looks done. I think I might have found a new respect for her… Ok, now I am rambling over unimportant things. Focus, Hermione!

Hours later, Hermione had meters of parchment with her plans and everything she thought she might need to make the Yule Ball a great event in her life. Maybe, after all her effort, people would start seeing her as a young woman. For Merlin's beard, if they saw her as a regular girl and not only Harry's weird friend she would be happy. Except from her parents, Harry, Neville and her professors, everyone seemed to treat her as if she was still seven years old and not a teenager. Even Ron did not seem to notice that she was different. That she felt different. It would be nice to be seen with other eyes, for a start. She was proud, though, that in two days she had managed to organise a complete plan to debut as something other than a child and it would happen at a ball of the wizarding world!

The biggest surprise since Viktor asked her to the ball arrived when Professor McGonagall told the students that they were to dance formally at the Yule Ball and that the Champions would have the opening dance. Ok. New plans are definitely more than necessary now! Muggleborn, Hermione Granger never really thought she would be required to perform any social dance at an event. In fact, she had the understanding that balls like this were pureblood traditions that were on the verge of extinction even in their inner circles. In the wizarding world full of half bloods and muggleborns she thought it would be almost impossible to arrange an event of such formality and magnitude considering that there were a ton of etiquette behaviours that were not taught in school and would be expected. Maybe they would give a preparatory course for the students that do not know the traditions. But what if they do not?Okay, then. Part one of the plan is all right. I have arrangements for the night on paper; I just have to make sure things go smoothly. Part two, though, will be hard. I don't know how to dance. Maybe I can skip the dancing? Viktor for sure would not mind. He seems nice and above this pureblood traditions. However, it would be lovely to dance with him, that is, if I could. Hermione Granger, you will not run away from a challenge! You will dance like a natural and have the greatest time of your life. You just have to plan it.

She decided that the last two days had been a lot to process and a night run before curfew was in order. She had developed the habit of running to relax her body before sleep since she came back from the basilisk incident on second year. Her body just craved movement and running seemed to soothe this need. Also, she always had good ideas during her night exercises. Maybe she would think of a solution to her dance situation after running and eating.

A/N: I hope you guys liked it! Reviews are always welcome -and encouraged-. Thank you for reading!