Study Date

The last few weeks before Christmas were busy. Teachers were trying, almost in vain, to make sure students learned things before the holidays. Students dreaming of Christmas sweets, gifts, and dancing. Professor Snape stalked the hallways; silently sweeping up to any sweetly acting couple before making them jump as he scolded for things as simple as crooked robes or ties. Dumbledore shook his head with a twinkle in his eye and asked Severus for Christmas mercy on one couple who were about to receive detention for a dropped quill.

Then two days before the break it happened; the foolish disgrace of Ronald Weasley and the outrage of Hermione Granger.

During study period, over seen by one grumpy Professor Snape, Harry and Ron were talking. Hermione rolled her eyes at how they stated girls traveled in packs just to keep a bloke from asking them. When Hermione let them know even Neville had a date Ron became depressed; for a moment. However he was inspired by Fred and finally Ron had his brilliant revelation.

"Oi, Hermione, you're a girl." Harry closed his eyes at this. The only reason he hadn't asked her was because she was far too much like a sister. Professor Snape who had been sweeping behind him silently heard this and bit his tongue rather hard to keep his mouth from twitching. He re plotted his walking path so he could over hear this.

Hermione raised one eyebrow. "Well spotted." She slowly stated. Others around the three listened closely, this could be good. When he made his wonderful, kindhearted statement about it just being sad for a girl to go alone the others all winced.

However hearing how she already had a date made Fred and George cheer internally, and as she sharply informed him "And I said yes." Harry bit down his smile despite the twins smirking. Snape disliked the boy already, not as bad as Potter, but close. He was glad the elder Weasleys were smirking in the foolish boys' face as he could not.

However he did take great joy in the excuse to stand behind the two oblivious fourth years as they kept talking during study. Even taking time to pull his sleeves up slightly before finally giving up and shoving their heads close to their books. He was tempted to put that memory in a pensive so he could see it again and again.

.o0o. 0.o.0 .o0o.

In the library that evening Hermione told Viktor about it because he had overheard the Slytherins laughing about it at dinner. Rolling her eyes as she kept writing her herbology homework Hermione obviously wasn't bothered. "It's perfectly alright Viktor, he was just being a bit thick is all." Viktor's scowl didn't lessen even a little. "Is no right, he supposed be friend, no treat like that." Hermione put down her quill for a moment and squeezed his hand.

"Yes, I suppose your right, and last year I would have been really upset by what he said, but I am not going by myself. I have a wonderful date, who realized I was a girl," she smiled at this and Viktor's mouth twitched at a corner despite still frowning. "and Ron will get paid back because even now gossip is spreading though the school and his reputation is getting tarnished. He's also my friend Viktor, we are growing more distant I admit, but friends forgive."

She then picked up her quill again and kept writing, she only had two more inches to go before she could finish. "Vhat if he gets mean from gossip and you looking so pretty at ball Mia?" Viktor knew how petty boys could be, and despite hearing his good quality's a while ago Viktor still worried because so far, he had seen very little actual good of Ron Weasley due to his temporary rejection of Potter from hurt feelings.

Hermione shook her head slightly, knowing that that could very well happen. "Well, then he gets to do his own homework for once without me looking it over. If he's too much of a prat Harry probably won't loan him his." Viktor gave a small grunt, thinking it wasn't right, but seeing that nothing he said now could make any difference. Gradually Viktor's ire faded as the two studied for half an hour more with the only sound was turning pages and the scratch of quills on parchment. Finally they put away their inkpots and quills, within minutes of each other.

As the last bits of parchment dried Viktor reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small cloth he handled carefully. Hermione eyed it somewhat warily. 'I have a feeling that telling him not to get me things and having it actually happen might be two different things.' She thought to herself. Viktor explained when he saw her brown eyes watching carefully. "Is no present for you Mia, just thought vould bring somesing ve can share?" He opened the cloth, reveling some pastila desert squares, bite sized but different colors and variety's.

Hermione looked at it puzzled. "Is that Turkish Delight?" Viktor's eyes smiled at his clever solution. "Is pastila, is from Russia, is like Turkish Delight, but different. You enjoyed other foods other night, thought might like to tvy dis." He had decided on this because he wanted to keep showing he cared for her even if he couldn't give her presents or walk her to class. This seemed like something she couldn't argue with as he would be sharing it.

Hermione gave a smile and reached for one. When she nibbled on it, as she saw Viktor doing, her eyes widened in delight. "Oh, this is good Viktor." She understood not eating the whole thing at once as it was rich, but so, so very good. Like candied fruit, but more wonderful. As they worked thought the different flavors Viktor brought; apple, nuts, and several berry variety's the selected a book at random to look over.

It ended up being on advanced charms. They got in depth over one that would allow items to be much larger than they appeared. Hermione brought up the tents at the World Cup, mentioning Harry's and her own doubt when they first saw the tent for nine people, making Viktor chuckle. Viktor mentioned a bag one of his uncles used as he was a magical creatures conservationist and often had to trek long distances to see how animals were doing.

Hermione grinned rather largely at the idea of one backpack holding weeks of supply's as well as camping gear and cloths but never weighing more than a regular knapsack. Both of them talked about what they had seen of the enchanted items, then went over the book, and several like it, for details of the magic and theory.

When they had to reluctantly leave the library later on Hermione walked up to her dorm with a smile that wouldn't stay away no matter how she tried. She could only tone it down. Ginny saw her and inquired about the happy face then forced a small smile. 'Only Hermione would be over the moon happy with homework and talking about spell theory.' she thought ruefully.