Hermione couldn't believe her eyes! Now everything made sense, the looks, the whispers, everything! She wondered if Viktor knew and ran down to the lake and onto the dock. Viktor was just coming off the ship. "Viktor!" Hermione called as she rushed over to him. "Good morning" Viktor said as he smiled and gently kissed Hermione's forehead. "Viktor you need to see this" Hermione said as she waved the Daily Prophet in front of his face. Viktor steadied the paper, and his eyes widened slightly, but he kept himself composed. "Who is this Rita Skeeter voman?" he asked Hermione. "She's a devil Viktor! Everything she writes is either a lie or an exaggeration!" Hermione said her voice shaking. "Don't vorry loff I vill find a vay to fix this" Viktor promised. Hermione felt sick to her stomach, how could Skeeter stoop this low! Viktor hugged her firmly and said "Don't vorry I vill do something, now go you vill be late for your Charms class" he said as they shared a kiss, making Hermione's knees weak. She forgot all about Rita, and the article, until Viktor pulled away. He smiled at her, his deep, brown eyes twinkling. "Go loff" he said, and she nodded as she smiled at him and walked back up to the castle. She always felt a little drunk, and giddy after kissing Viktor.
As Hermione sat through a Charms class, trying to endure the whispering with Ginny by her side, Viktor tracked down Dumbledore. "Vhat is the meaning of this Headmaster?" he said setting down the newspaper. "Hello Viktor" said Dumbledore smiling. "Please have a seat" he said indicating the chair in front of his desk. "I am fine thank you, I vould like to know who this Skeeter voman is however" he said. "Are you avare of vhat she is printing?" he asked. "I am Viktor, and believe me I wasn't pleased. I know the kind of witch Ms. Granger is I know that Rita is printing false stories; unfortunately it isn't in my power to punish, or stop her. Rita works for the Ministry of Magic. I am sure this whole thing will blow over within the next couple of days" Dumbledore said. Viktor was not satisfied with this answer. "Thank you for your time" he said as he left the office, the Prophet still clutched in his hand.
Viktor knew he would see Rita Skeeter during the second task, but he couldn't get Hermione's face out of his mind. The article caused her distress, and Viktor was determined to relieve her of it. Viktor met Aleksandr in the hallway, and he offered to help Viktor. "Vhere is Niko? And Vlad?" Viktor asked. "Vlad is vith Valentine, and Nikolai is vith Bernadette's friend Amelia" Alek said as he shook his head disapprovingly. "He really should not play vith girl's feelings, it is wrong" Alek said. "Vell Niko has alvays been a…a…" Alek finished Viktor's sentence by adding "A man-whore?" and Viktor smiled slightly and nodded. "Vhat is our first move Viktor?" asked Alek. "I haff no clue…I do not think this Skeeter voman is on the ground right now…" Viktor said. "Should ve go to Karkaroff?" Alek said. "No he vill not care, he does not like Hermio-ninny because she is a Muggle-born" Viktor said disgusted with Karkaroff's behavior. "Hm…ve could…go to the Ministry of Magic" said Alek looking excited. "No…it seems very drastic…I do not know vhat to do! I am very angry, this voman made Hermio-ninny very vorried" Viktor said. "Maybe you should leave it be Viktor?" Aleksandr said. "I don't know…" Viktor said. "I do, plus you have to get ready for the ball tonight!" Aleksandr said. "Fine I von't do anything today" Viktor said before walking off.
Viktor showered, and looked in the mirror; he shaved his peach fuzz, and buzzed his hair shorter. He then got dressed, and pulled on his polished boots. He sprayed himself with expensive cologne and gave himself a once over in the mirror. Viktor, Nikolai, and Aleksandr met Vladislav in the Great Hall. Viktor broke away from them and his heart stopped. He had just seen Hermione in beautiful periwinkle dress robes. She looked amazing, her hair was styled into a beautiful bun, and she looked stunning. Viktor was proud that he would have her on his arm during the ball. He met Hermione at the foot of the stairs.
Ron and Harry looked at Hermione dumbstruck. "It's Hermione!" said Harry as Parvati rolled her eyes. "Duh genius" said Padma. "Don't see what she likes in Krum I mean just look at him!" said Ron bitterly. "You almost wet yourself when you saw him the first day!" said Padma rolling her eyes. "That was before I knew he was such a git" Ron said never taking his eyes off of them. "You're a git Ron" said Ginny as she walked by with Dean.
"You look beautiful Hermio-ninny" Viktor said as he smiled at her. "Thank you" said Hermione breathlessly. Viktor offered her his arm which she gladly took. They walked into the Great Hall along with Cho and Cedric, Harry and Parvati, and Fleur and Roger Davies. Hermione was beaming as she looked around at the decorations. Professor McGonagall nodded to the orchestra and they began playing. Viktor put one hand on the small of Hermione's back, and took her hand in the remaining. He led her with surprising grace around the dance floor. Hermione didn't have much experience dancing but her first time wasn't disappointing. She felt like she was gliding, and Viktor spun her around smiling. After a couple of minutes the other couples joined in and the Weird Sisters began playing. Viktor and Hermione pulled away but kept on dancing and laughing. Hermione was having a blast.
Hermione came over to Ron and Harry glowing, a couple of hours later. She was ready to make peace with Ron. "Viktor's just gone to get us drinks, where are Padma, and Parvati?" Hermione asked. "Oh you noticed they were gone did you? You and Vicky were practically shagging on the dancefloor!" Ron spat. Hermione looked outraged. "We were just dancing Ron! If you can't tell the difference that's your fault" she snapped angry that Ron ruined her mood yet again. "What do you even want Hermione?" asked Ron. "I wanted to get past the stupid fight we were having Ron but you ruined it yet again! You're such an arse Ronald Weasley!" Hermione said angrily as tears filled her eyes and she rushed out of the Great Hall.
Viktor saw this exchange and quickly abandoned the punch, and followed her out. He grabbed her arm. "Vhat happened? Did he hurt you?" Viktor said worried. "N-No…I'm sorry Viktor but I want to go up to bed now…I'm not feeling in the mood to party any longer" she said as she wiped away her tears. Viktor nodded "Don't say sorry it is alright" he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her tears away as he placed it in her hands. "You need it more than me" he said smiling slightly. "Goodnight Hermio-ninny" he said as he placed a gentle, loving kiss on her hand. "Goodnight Viktor…" she whispered before going up to the common room.
Viktor watched her go anxiously. "Trouble in paradise?" said a voice from behind him. Viktor turned to see Rita Skeeter in acid green dress robes standing behind him with her Quick-Quotes Quill scribbling away on a piece of parchment. Viktor smiled and…(To Be Continued.)
