Hermione kept to her word and didn't even look at another Durmstrang student if she could help it for three whole days. She kept her back to their table and avoided Viktor Krum whenever he tried to talk to her. She had never felt this betrayed before. It hurt, but she kept busy with going through the Beauxbaton library and socializing with Beauxbaton girls. Her French was getting better and she enjoyed learning about the classes and happenings around the school.

"Do you want to come with us?" Jillian asked in French.

"Where?" Hermione asked back in French.

"To the village," Jillian said. "This weekend, we get to go to the village to do some shopping for the Yule Ball. A few of us are going down. I was asking if you wanted to come with us."

Hermione smiled. "Okay," she said. "I'd like that."

A bell rang and Jillian stood up with her books. "That's my cue to leave," she said in English before heading back into the castle.

Hermione stayed in the garden, gazing out over the view. Even though it had slipped into winter not too long ago, the garden was warm and everything bloomed as if it were spring. Hermione opened her bag and pulled out her latest book, Magical Meanings of Flower Arrangements. It was quiet interesting and she was getting to the chapter on roses when she was interrupted.

"Hermy-own-ninny."

She looked up and frowned. Closing her book, she got up and started to walk away. Krum followed her. "Hermy-own-ninny," he said.

"Don't you 'Hermy-own-ninny' me," she said sharply, mimicking his accent.

"How long vill you hold this grudge," he asked.

She didn't say anything as she pulled her cloak closer while leaving the garden area. The chill hit her cheeks and she started toward the library.

"Vill you still be angry vhen ve go to the dance?" he asked.

Hermione stopped and turned on her heel. "Are you truly thinking I'm going with you?" she asked.

"How vas I suppose to know that you vere going to say that phrase?" he said.

"I'm not angry about that," she said. "I'm angry that you didn't even try to tell me about the phrase after I said it. That was at the beginning of the challenge and you didn't say a word; not an explanation or anything. You were sitting right beside me and you didn't say a word. That's what I'm angry about."

"And I'm sorry," he said.

"Yeah, well," Hermione said. "Sorry doesn't cut it. Not now." She turned and started toward the castle. Maybe she could find a nice corner to finish her book. But, as she stepped onto the path back to the castle, she stopped. Standing in the pathway was Draco. He was facing away from her, looking over the grounds as if he was lost, but she would know that slicked back hair anywhere. "Draco?" she called.

He turned around and smiled as he saw her. Hermione stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. He held her close and didn't say a word. He didn't need to because with him there, Hermione felt better. She knew Draco was her safe haven. Yeah, it sounded stupid and something out of a cheesy muggle romance story, but she felt safest with Draco. Even at her age, even though she spent most of her time reading books, she knew that the statement was true.

"I'm glad to see you," she mumbled against his shoulder.

He rubbed her back and said, "I snuck out of Charms School as soon as I could when I got your letter."

Hermione smiled a bit. "Your mum's going to be so angry," she said.

Draco leaned back and looked down at her. "Yeah, probably," he said. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "I'm fine," she said. "Just got done talking to Viktor. He was trying to apologize and..." She paused and shook her head. "I'm not talking to him."

"Can't say I'm not happy about that," Draco said, smirking slightly.

Hermione smiled back and said, "You just don't like other guys talking to your girlfriend."

"Blaise says that's a bad thing," Draco said.

"What do you say?" Hermione asked.

He smiled. "I say that I'm just not a big fan of sharing you," he said.

"So, possessive," Hermione said.

"I think protective is the right word," he said.

She chuckled and hugged him again. They stayed like that for a while until a large bell sounded. "That's dinner," she said, pulling back. The sky was dark and the moon was growing high above the castle. "Come," Hermione said, taking Draco's hand. "You must be hungry. How did you get here, anyway?"

"I had one of my house elves to bring me here," Draco said.

"You really should be nicer to them," Hermione said, walking up to the castle. She kept a firm hand on his, as if afraid to let go. Draco didn't seem to mind. And if he did, he didn't voice it.

"I am nice," he said, opening the front door for her. She walked in first and turned to him. "I even said 'please'."

Hermione smiled and led him to the Hogwarts table. She didn't look at the Durmstrang table, but she could feel Draco glaring at them. "Don't even think about it," she said, sitting down. Draco stayed standing for a moment before Hermione gave his hand a tug and pulling him down in the seat next to her. He sat, but it took a few more moments for him to turn his attention back to her.

"Want me to beat them up?" he asked.

Hermione shook her head. "Doing nothing is worse," she said in a quiet tone. "Because they don't know if I will or won't do anything."

Draco smiled. "You're going to make them worry," he said. "You're definitely a Slytherin."

For the first time since this year started, Hermione's mind turned toward the sorting next year. Next year, she would be celebrating her birthday with her new house. And she hoped it was Slytherin. She had so many friends in that house and her god father was the wizard in charge. Ravenclaw would be an okay fit, as she was fairly smart, but there was no way she could ever see herself in Hufflepuff. Gyrffindor wasn't her top pick, but she wouldn't completely die if she was sorted there.

A thought occurred to Hermione and said turned to Draco. "If, for some reason, I got sorted into a house that wasn't Slytherin, would you still like me?"

He smiled at her. "Even if you got sorted into Gryffindor, I would still be your boyfriend and watch movies with you. And I'd still like you," he said.

"Really?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah," Draco said. "If that happens, we'll be the only Gryffindor/Slytherin couple."

"That confident you'll be in Slytherin?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.

Draco straightened his shoulders. "Of course," he said. "A Malfoy is always a Slytherin."

"Just for that I wouldn't be surprised if you were sorted into Gryffindor," she said.

"I'd never," Draco said, paling slightly.

Hermione leaned forward and teasingly said, "Don't worry. I'd still date you if you were a Gryffindor. You're just too cute to dump."

"Thanks," Draco said, though he smiled at her. Hermione silently thanked him for cheering her up.

"I think Hermione would make a wonderful Hufflepuff," Charlie said. He was the Hufflepuff's Keeper, but was taking the year off for the tournament.

Draco and Hermione both pulled faces that made the other table occupants laugh. "No offense, Charlie, but I don't see myself in yellow," Hermione said.

"None taken," Charlie said, forking a small amount of potatoes into his mouth.

Dinner passed with little incident from Durmstrang. For the first time in three days, Hermione laughed and enjoyed herself. And it was all thanks to Draco. Hermione noticed Albus looking in their direction. He was probably going to send Draco home, but she really hoped he didn't.

For desert, there was a rare treat of making your own ice cream sundae. Empty dishes appeared in front of everyone, ice cream containers filled the center of the table; and nuts, hand whipped cream, cherries, chocolate syrup, and other sorts of toppings filled the rest of the open space. Hermione licked her lips and got to work on her sundae. She put two large scoops of chocolate ice cream in her bowl, sprinkled chocolate shavings on top, a few chopped up chocolate frogs, poured chocolate syrup on top, and sprinkled it with chocolate covered peanuts.

"You're going to get diabetes," Azora said, looking at the desert in shock.

Draco stared at it in wonder. "Forget diabetes," he said. "You're going to need a tall glass of water."

Hermione smirked and shoved a big spoonful into her mouth. Everyone watched as she finished half of the desert without even looking for a glass of water. When she finished, they continued to stare.

"That is freaky," John said.

Draco looked slightly proud, though. "That's my girlfriend," he said.

"Not many boys would claim a girl that could eat that much chocolate and not get sick," John said.

"Well, you're just jealous that she's mine," Draco said.

Hermione smiled and felt a shadow stand over her. She looked up and found Albus looking over her shoulder at her empty bowl. "I hope you plan to brush your teeth tonight," he said.

"Yes," Hermione said.

"Good," Albus said. "Make sure Mr. Malfoy does, as well, if you would." With that, he walked away. In those few words, though, Hermione smiled. Albus wasn't sending Draco home. She turned and smiled at her boyfriend. Things were beginning to look brighter.

Sorry for taking so long. Been hectic. Hope you enjoyed the story. I had a friend who made a super chocolatey desert and took half a bite before heading for water. Thanks for reading.