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Chapter 3

Hermione sat in her spot in the library and plotted mass murder.

'I can't believe it. Don't those girls have anything better to do?'

She glared at the herd of giggling girls and shut her book closed with a sound.

'I might as well go get some lunch. It doesn't look like those cows are leaving anytime soon.'

Hermione packed her notes and quills carefully into her back glancing at the reason of girls' presence in the library.

Viktor Krum.

A Tri-Wizard champion.

An international Quidditch star.

A celebrity.

A bane of her existence.

Well, maybe she over did the last part. If she was honest with herself it wasn't his fault that those girls seemed to stalk his every move. He didn't seem to like it… Or did he?

Hermione frowned walking past him out of the room. The teen was engrossed in a thick book.

Not everyone was like Harry. Maybe he likes attention?

She tried to remember him talking to his fan club while she was in the library and failed. Then she tried to remember him talking at all and also failed save the time when he introduced himself after his name was pulled out of the wretched Goblet of Fire.

There was another burst of giggles as Hermione reached the door leading out of the library and rolled her eyes. Krum must have turned a page.

'No matter he likes the attention or not I pity him for having such cows after him.'

……………………………………………………………………………………………

When in the evening Hermione came back to the library it was blissfully free from the giggling herd of girls.It was a wonderful sound. Silence and the occasional turn of pages.

'Finally…'

The old Hogwarts' library was big and spacious. Massive shelves were full of books of various sizes. Some were new some were rusty from time and often use.

Hermione had to admit that the place looked spooky to her during her fist visit. The books seemed full of secrets and Hermione Granger was all if not curious.

'How Gryffindor of me.'

Maybe she had brains of a Ravenclaw, but her heart was one hundred and one percent Gryffindor.She really hasn't heard of any Ravenclaws brewing forbidden potions in haunted lavatories. Despite the fact that she turned herself into a cat Hermione thought that it was a successful year.

Those who thought that she didn't have an adventurous streak were so mistaken. She didn't hang around with Harry and Ron without picking some bad habits from the two.

'Hmmm…. Most Potent Potions… Mirmineto… Mirmineto… Mirmi… Here it is! Let's see what will I need?'

Hermione was against twins' pranks… most of the time. (Seeing Parkinson bold really brightened her day not so long ago.) Anyway. Having twins' owning you a favor could come in handy some day and Hermione liked planning ahead. Hers this years' goal was to make sure that Harry lived to see the end of the tournament with all of his limbs attached.

'Powdered dragon's fang… That is going to cost... What else?' Hermione tried to turn the page in the book she was reading.

'Can't they release it in few smaller tomes?' The book she chose was really big what made it difficult to use it. Hermione looked around looking for the nearest table. It was not so far away but she still couldn't lift the book without using magic. She bit her lip. Madam Pince was in her place in the front of the library when Hermione passed her table.

'Let's hope she won't come checking here.'

A moment later Hermione had the book floating. It was much easier than to carry it. The nearest table was only few meters away when somebody touched Hermione's shoulder surprising her.

With a distressed yelp Hermione turned around involuntary directing the levitating book at the person. Before the heavy thing could hit the target Hermione ended the spell, but it was already too close. With a crash the book landed on the boot of the surprised guy. Apparently super Seeker's reflex didn't account for feet.

Before he could say what probably would have been a foreign curse Hermione clasped her palm over the Bulgarian's mouth. The last thing she wanted was Madam Pince storming in.

For a minute they just stood like this. Then Krum looked pointedly at Hermione's hand and back to her face, but made no move to remove it himself. The Gryffindor stood still for one more minute looking at his dark eyes with her own waded ones. Suddenly her brain understanding how inappropriate the position was, bearing in mind that she didn't know him at all, decided to kick in. The girl took a fast step back removing her palm. Viktor grimaced and looked down. Hermione fallowed his eyes and bit her lip. The book was still on his foot. Before Hermione made a move with her wand to pick it up Viktor bent and picked the book like it weighted nothing and put it on the table. Limping slightly, though. Seeing that Hermione winced.

'Way to go, Hermione. Why crush on a guy like Parvati and Lavender? Let's crash! And I was wondering why nobody asked me to the ball…. They are afraid for their health. He must think that I am such a klutz.'

"Sorry 'bout that. But you really shouldn't startle people like this. Just because the Goblet picked you, doesn't mean that you're invincible."

The last part was meant more like a joke to break the ice, but instead he looked embarrassed in the light of the torches.

"I apologize… "

Hermione blinked and then stared at him. His voice was low and sounded shy even with that heavy accent of his. That didn't go with his strong build and knitted eyebrows. Hermione's heart melted around the edges. He looked almost cute.

"I am the one that should be sorry. The use of magic in the library is forbidden. How is your foot?" Her eyes drifted from his face down his wide shoulders and brown coat. His strong looking arms and legs. 'He is not bad looking…'

"It is vell."

"Are you sure? I could take you to our med witch to look at it. It might be broken."

"No."

"Does it hurt?"

"No."

Hermione shifted under his gaze. 'He is not a man of many words, is he?'

Krum looked like he was about to say something when a giggle could be heard from behind them. Hermione could see how he closed his eyes and growl under his breath. Her lips quirked up and she smiled sympathetically at him. Krum was like Harry after all. Going to her book Hermione whispered as he passed by. "Don't pay attention to them, they'll get bored eventually." And for a sec she thought that Krum smiled a little.

When she was alone again, The Giggling Girls fallowed Krum out, Hermione wondered what he wanted from her when he touched her shoulder. 'Oh well… Maybe another time?'

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Next day during breakfast.

"Where were you yesterday after dinner? I looked for you."

"I was in the library, Ginny. Was there something you wanted?"

At the word library Ron snorted. It was amazing how he didn't choke on his food that he was filling his mouth with at the same time.

'Jerk.'

"I just wanted you to know something. I will tell you later."

Hermione glanced suspiciously at her friend. She was up to something. Hermione just knew it. The older Gryffindor had a strange feeling at the pit of her stomach very much like when twins were about to pull something. Ginevra was related to them after all.

When they were half done with their desert Ginny leaned closer to her.

"Hermione, turn your head a little left and look at the Slytherin table."

Being a good friend and still being half asleep she did what she was told without thinking twice.

Just as she did that her eyes met with a pair of dark ones. Viktor Krum was looking at her. Hermione slowly swallowed her bite but didn't avert her eyes. 'He must be angry about the book incident. I hope his foot doesn't hurt.' But instead of looking sour like he usually did Krum smiled at her. Good thing that she swallowed her food earlier because she would have choked from surprise. Viktor Krum was smiling at her. Her lips' corners twitched and went upward forming a smile. After a minute of such looking her cheeks were flushed and she averted her eyes back to her plate.

She heard a snicker beside from Ginny. Not to raise suspicion Hermione looked around the Gryffindor table. No one were looking at her or snickering in her direction. It had to look silly. Her looking at Krum and blushing. She frowned. 'Why was I looking at Krum and blushed?' Her eyes went to the smiling girl next to her.

"Something funny, Ginny?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. But the weather is great don't you think so?"

"Don't say a word, Ginevra."

"What? I just wanted to say that…"

Hermione glared pointed at Ginny trying not to look in the direction of Slytherin table.

"I know what you wanted to say and it's not funny."

Ginny as if matter of factly looked in the direction of the emerald clad table at what Hermione's cheeks flushed for a second time. The red head smiled with triumph.

……………………………………………………………………………………

As soon as the bell rang the Gryffindor had her head full with other things and not having Ginny in her classes made Hermione forget about the morning incident. Till dinner she didn't think about that.

Ginny sat next to Hermione and the first redhead's words were.

"He is looking at you again."

The older Gryffindor bit on her spoon at that, but continued eating ignoring the hyper girl.

"Hermione?" The voice sounded too innocent for a Weasley.

"What, Ginny?"

"Well, now that you asked, He is looking quite a lot at you lately. I think somebody has one more admirer." Ginny's voice was low and teasing.

"Nonsense." Hermione tried to make her own sound strong. Even as she caught Krum's eye again. Lucky this time Ginny didn't notice it.

"It is true."

"You are taking rubbish."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. None of them likes me and you are being silly."

Ginny looked at the Slytherin table with a smile.

"I wouldn't bet it for Bulgaria, but Snake Skin is all for you."

"What are you on again?"

"Look at their table. Left side."

Hermione firmly fixed her eyes on the plate before her and refused to look else where.

"Oh. No. Not this time."

"Don't be a chicken, Hermione. It won't hurt. Look up."

With a sigh brunette's eyes slid to the direction where Ginny told her and the bite stuck in her throat. Marcus Flint was looking at her, well more like glaring this time. Hermione looked at Ginny immediately.

"What is up with him?"

"He is jealous most likely. Green is the color their House. It is fitting isn't it?"

"Jealous? Of what?"

Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Of you, girl. He saw your and Krum's exchange of glances."

"So what? He doesn't care."

"I wouldn't be so sure."

"I bet he doesn't give a damn at who I look at."

"You're on. A galleon says he will ask for explanations soon."

"Deal."

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