People kept on coming up to me for a few days;
"-I can't believe it! Are you okay?"
"What happened?"
"Did he punch you?"
"Beat you?"
It had gotten to the point where I was the talk because of Phil! -and I didn't want that at all. I needed to stay focused. Get my head in the game (a/n: tell me if you where this is from). After I couldn't stand of getting interrogated all the time, I began stayed inside my hut during my free time.
We had another game, and another, and another; all we've won with the six players instead. My team mates didn't seem to mind; they thought it was better without Phil. I knew it wasn't all true, but I was grateful all the same.
Tony finally asked Jane out, and they've been snogging each other for the past several days. I felt left out a few times since they hang out with each other a lot, and I'm pretty much the third wheel.
Occasionally, Malfoy would hang out with us during meal times, talking friendly about random stuff. It felt weird having the tall blond boy sitting near me, but I got used to it.
We didn't talk about the fight. There were times when I tried apologizing and thanking him, but he told me to forget about it. Ever since then, no guy would come up to me flirting, although I wouldn't know if it did happen, because they'd be afraid of Malfoy. In a way, he's my protector here on the island.
I recieved another letter from Harry, congradulating with the win and telling me he'd be happy to have me on the team. He also told me Ron is still with Lena, and furthermore, it's more serious! They've had two dates already, and she's met Mr and Mrs. Weasley! What I am to do when I come back? I can't just sit there and take them kissing right in front of me; I'll just lash out on him and freak out like I did when he didn't ask me to the Yule Ball! Then there'll be this whole fight and-. I just can't do that...
Only a month left until we go back to school. I feel confident enough to be on the team though, and I'll feel very proud to show Professor McGonagall what I've done. Very proud indeed.
Waiting for Jane to finish her shower, I propped open a book and started to read, but before I was able to read a single word, Jane walked out.
"Do I smell fresh?" She smiled and twirled around. "It's our two week anniversary, and he has something special planned!"
She giggled while I gave her a happy smile. "I'm happy for you, Jane."
We headed to the Great Hut for dinner.
"So, how are things with you and Draco?" She practically skipped the whole way there.
"Good. You know, the usual. Why?"
"Nothing. Just wondering. I guess I'm too jittery to think straight, sorry."
I began to laugh, "It's not your fault."
She's completed the bloom list, while I was still stuck on number one. I never got my date, or my boyfriend. All I got was trouble.
The Great Hut was pretty packed; the Councilor had a special announcement he wanted to share, so he told everyone who wanted to hear to be there.
We sat in an empty desk, somewhere in the middle.
"Do you see Tony?" She asked worriedly. Her eyes scanned the room quickly before she sat back down. "I don't see him anywhere."
"Don't worry, it's still early."
The room buzzed with excitement. It had never been this noisy before. There were rumors that the Minister of Magic was going to show up, or that Gilderoy Lockhart was, or a player from the Tornado team.
Then, Councilor Kenny got up in front of the crowd, muttered a spell which made his voice magnify, and said, "Good Evening, high flyers. I have a special treat for you."
"Hey Granger, Jane," Malfoy grabbed an empty seat next to me and gave his attention also to Kenny.
"Now, most of you have been here several times to know that each year, a special guest is to come and stay for a couple of days. Tonight is one of those days. Please, restrain yourself all you can.
"This young man has traveled far, taking his time off practice, to meet you potential Quidditch players. He will give a small speech. Tomorrow, he has promised to fly with you also. Isn't that something?"
Cheers gave away in that room. I stared around looking amused, yet frightened. If this is how it'll be when they haven't seen him, imagine what it'll be when they do!
"So, without further ado, please give it up for," Councilor Kenny pulled away from the front, while a young man walked up, "Viktor Krum!"
My mouth instantly fell to the floor. Viktor? He's here?
A tall man with broad shoulders walked out from the kitchen doors and to the front of the mic. From what it seems, he didn't look one bit nervous. He waved a tiny bit as the room roared with applauses.
" 'ello. My name is Viktor. Call me Vik. I vill be 'ere tonight and tomorrow. Ask any questions. I vill be glad to ans'er. If you did not know, I am a seeker on the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team. So, any questions?" He looked around the room, where the hands of nearly everyone's was up in the air.
"You vith the blue shirt. Vat is your question?" He asked very professionally.
I admit, we weren't right for each other but he still was a gentleman and very cute.
"H-hi. Mr. Krum, sir. Um, how old were you when you began to fly?" The fifteen year old player piped.
"I believe I vos six ven I fly," he replied and the boy nodded ferociously. "Next, you vith the cap."
"What is your favorite Ice Cream?" He asked innocently.
"I'm not fond of Ice Cream. Gives, er, brain froze." He shuddered. "The girl with the red shirt."
"Hi," Catty said sweetly. She stood up from her seat and asked, "are you single?"
I sneered. Typical. Councilor Kenny then intruded. He laughed nervously, "Please keep questions Quidditch related."
"Thank you, Mr-"
"Kenny," the councilor gave a toothy smile. "Call me Kenny."
"Thank you, Kenny." He didn't seem to notice 'Kenny's' reaction. He turned back to the girl, "To ans'er your question, I am single. But not looking."
Cathy sat back down, furious with his decision.
Vik continued with his speech. The sentences were short and to the point, that's what I like about him, although his wording might be off a tad bit.
"Hermione!" Jane whispered from across the table. She leaned in and whispered my name again. "Don't you know him?"
I grinned. "Yes."
Draco scoffed. "You?"
Glaring at him, I answered with a 'yes'.
Again, he scoffed. "How?"
"Triwizard Tournament. I went to the ball with him." I held my head high, proud to have been asked considering the many girls oggling at him.
Then, slowly, he responded. "Oh yeah, I remember. You were wearing that pre- erm, that thing."
"If you mean a dress, then yes. I was wearing a dress."
My attention went back to Vik, who had been done with his speech a few seconds before. From the corner of my eye, Jane grinned and Malfoy thin on the lips.
Fifteen minutes later, the Great Hut was full of life. Tony had arrived and kissed Jane right when he sat. After a puking amount of kissing, he began to talk to Draco about his team. He didn't seem to be in a good mood, Draco, so when he replied, his tone was flat and monotonous.
Viktor sat near Councilor Kenny, nodding aimlessly at the histerically laughing yellow shirted man. Many heads turned his way, including mine. Viktor's eyes bore around the room, still nodding, but suddenly stopped right at me.
I gave him a smile and waved a little, very happy that he recognized me after a few years. His brows furrowed for a while but it relaxed when he did suddenly realize it was me. He gave me his smile. It took a while before our stare-and-smile session ended, no thanks to Malfoy.
"What?" I asked irritably.
"Nothing. I thought you'd gone blind for while, considering you hadn't blinked for several minutes."
"Oh. Sorry."
My eyes darted back to Vik but he had gone talking to Kenny. Sighing, I excused myself and departed for my hut.
"Want company?" Draco asked as he started getting up.
"No, no. I'm fine. Thanks," I replied with mind off somewhere else. Mainly, someone.
"Oh." He said lowly, going back down. "I'll see you tomorrow early then."
"Okay, sounds good." The sound of my purposeful cough caught the couples attention. "Have a nice night, you two. Jane, Tony."
They nodded before going back to their snogging session.
It was a chilly weather outside; goosebumps crept up while surrounding myself in the fog.
I still couldn't believe it: Viktor Krum, my 'eh-ex-boyfriend(if you even could call him that)' and current penpal, is here...at camp...in the summer. This is great! Maybe he's learned to pronounce my name right, hopefully. It is cute, though, how he says my name. I can hear it now.
"Hermy-own-nee!"
Wait- I can hear it! Literally! The voice was coming nearer and louder. My body turned around, to see a running Viktor Krum coming my way. I waved with a smile. In no moments time, he stood right in front of me.
"Hermy-own-nee!" He cried, still huffing and puffing. He pulled me into a hug and twirled me around while I giggled aloud.
"Viktor!" I said, mocking his cry, as soon as he put me down. "So you're the surprise guest, huh?"
He shrugged. "Vat are you doing 'ere?"
From the last time I saw him, he's grown in height and muscles. Now, it seems he's a building compared to me.
"Learning Quidditch," I said. He opened his mouth but I intercepted, "don't ask."
He chuckled. " 'ow are you?"
"I'm good. Nothing to say, really. What about you?"
"Very busy. Vith practice and games, you 'no."
I nodded politely. There was an awkward silence as we walked to my hut. We didn't know what to talk about...at least I didn't. To be honest, he didn't do much except Quidditch. I mean, he eats, breaths, sleeps Quidditch. He doesn't read much, doesn't do any other thing, doesn't really have much to say.
" 'ow is Harry?"
"Him? He's good. The usual, you know."
He, too, seemed distant and awkward. "Good. I'ff had a liking to that boy."
Grinning, I pointed to my hut. "That's my stop. Thank you, for walking me here."
"It vas my pleasure."
"So, what are you doing tomorrow?"
"I'm scheduled to fly vith you guys and give some tips."
"Sounds exciting."
He didn't get the sarcasm.
"Vould you haff breakfast vith me?" He asked.
A smile appeared on my face. "I'd love to."
He gave out a sigh. "Good. I'll see you at seven. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
He waited until I had shut the door in his face. With the grin, I sat down on the bed and took the book from the counter. It was hopeless trying to read; thoughts of Viktor kept coming up. He was still his old self, the person I knew of a while ago.
He was the first person who really liked me as something more than a friend. He gave me my first kiss, on the cheek, mind you. During the Yule Ball, he had been such a gentleman; got my drink, took the chair out, danced appropriately, etc. But somehow, I didn't feel anything towards him other than friendship, and possibly the motive to make Ron jealous. Maybe he took it the wrong way.
I told him I just wanted to be friends with him. He understood, and immediate words went to Harry. I nearly went into a giggle fit when he came to that conclusion, so he believed me once I said Harry and I were just friends. Best friends.
Hopefully, he doesn't take tomorrow's breakfast date as a 'get back together' thing, if he even does like me still. I doubt it, though.
---------------------------
Jane came back near curfew hours and told me all the details. Turns out, they went down to the beach, where he had made a small picnic dinner. She said it was perfect.
I then told her of my upcoming breakfast with Krum, and she nearly fainted. She demanded that I get as much autographs as I possibly can.
We headed down to Great Hut the next morning looking fresh and nifty. When we entered, there was a crowd in one of the corners. I saw a head pop out and yelled.
"Hermy-own-nee!" His cry was that of a plea. I couldn't help but be sympathetic to the poor guy. Heads turned towards me in curiousness, with a face of, 'how-does-he-know-you?'.
Kenny then came to the picture, breaking up the mob of flyers and apologizing to Vik over and over again.
Jane and I went towards him but was shooed away by the councilor.
"No, Kenny. Dey're vith me."
Kenny looked absolutely embarrased as he stalked away.
"Morning, Viktor," I said politely. "This is my friend, Jane."
" 'ello Jane," he said, giving her a hand to shake.
She shook it hard, "I am such a huge fan of yours."
Krum laughed nervously. "Thank you. Please, sit down."
As we sat down, food appeared. At first, there was an awkward silence; Jane not knowing what to say or do in front of her idol, Vik not saying much as he usually is, and me who just didn't have anything to say.
Then along came Malfoy.
"Hey Hermione, Jane." He greeted the confused Vik. "Are you guys familiar with the book 'Untouched'?"
I lit up at once, "Of course! It is such a lovely book. Are you reading it right now?"
"I'm almost through with it."
"And you enjoy it?" I asked with a smirk.
"Why, should I not?"
"No," I replied. "It's just that it's a romance. I wouldn't have thought you'd be into that sort of genre. I didn't know you were into books at all, in fact."
"I'm into a lot of things, Granger." He took a bite out of his food.
"Where are you in the book?"
"The part where Neale figures he is wrong about his beliefs and sets things right."
"That is the interesting thing about his character isn't it? He doesn't really feel what he shows; he basically puts on a mask. But a simple girl changed all of him, for good."
"Yes, I can relate," he said.
"Haff you guys read 'Quidditch through the ages?'," I suddenly heard Viktor as I gave him a confused look.
"I have! That book is my guide to everything!" Jane exclaimed.
"Haff you, Hermione?" He asked, ignoring Jane.
"I tried reading it a long time ago, but wasn't that interested. Sorry," I shrugged. Going back to Malfoy, "so, what other books are you interested in?"
During the whole breakfast, I talked to Malfoy about books, oddly enough. Viktor and Jane had small attempts of Quidditch conversation, but nothing continued on. Viktor then excused himself from the table, and so did Jane; the table was left with just Malfoy and I as we kept our talk of books and its wonders.
"You know, Malfoy, it seems you like books as much as me," I cocked my eyebrows.
"What's your point?"
"Why did you make fun of me, then? For always going to the library and stuff."
He sat there looking at me, not saying anything for the longest time. "I don't know, honestly. The belief I had of you as a mud-, as a muggle born, might have been it."
"So that's it?"
"Yeah, I guess."
He could tell I started to become angry. "Look, I've changed, Hermione. I haven't thought about blood at all these past several weeks."
"How do you know you won't go back once school starts?" I was ready to leave for I didn't want to have a fit with Malfoy. We got along so well these few weeks, I didn't want to ruin it. But I had to be realistic; he'll change back as soon as he sees his Slytherin friends.
"Because!" He cried.
"Because what?" Now, I stood up and pushed the chair in. He didn't say anything else. "I'll see you later, Malfoy."
I
practically ran out the door, though I didn't know why. The subject
wasn't really a big deal. We weren't even close friends. I'm glad he
stuck by me all these times, but sooner or later, we have to face the
facts. He's a slytherin. I'm a Gryffindor. Friendship between the two
will never last.
Once I merged a few yards out of the Hut, Malfoys voice rang out.
"Hermione!" Footsteps came closer but I wanted distance. A hand jerked my arm. "Hermione, will you listen to me!"
We were inches apart. My furious eyes met his wounded ones.
"I can't, Malfoy."
"Why not?"
"Because! Because if I do, I might come to realization that this friendship cannot last!" I shouted.
"Fine, don't listen to me."
I took my leave, but was pulled back once more.
"Malfoy, I have to-"
My mouth hit something soft and wet. The eyes on my face widened, only to be staring at a closed pair of eyes. Slowly, those of mine closed along with his. My brain came to a halt, nothing seemed to work.
He sucked slowly on my lower lip, and I just followed his lead, though not knowing if I did it right. Then, it sped up. His hands held my neck as he pushed his face closer to mine. Before I knew it, his tongue had slipped into my mouth! Panic-striken, I broke it off.
Gradually, my brain began to work its wonders once more. I looked at the startled Malfoy with confusion and fear in my eyes.
"Hermione-"
"I've got to go," and I dashed out of there, not thinking an inkling of going back. I had to leave, get my facts straight. What is happening?
AN:
Hey guys, I'm really sorry for the delay of this chapter. I had to catch up on my Summer Assignment. Still not done...and school starts tomorrow. So, yikes! Excited and terrified!
How was the chapter? Good? Bad? Too slow? Too fast? Wierd? I wanna know! It'll also give me some clues on how the next chapter should be paced. So please review!
Thanks! Deasy