Chapter 2- Seeking Something More


Days after her interesting conversation with Cedric, Hermione was in the library once again, not for the first time either to help him figure out what he was going to do against the dragon. She had some ideas, but nothing solid as of yet.

In the morning times, she had sat with the Hufflepuff table, despite the odd looks that she was receiving from just about everyone. Professor McGonagall had talked to her privately about how sitting with other Houses is not a rule that she had broken, but more something that was frowned upon by the Hogwarts staff and students. Hermione had explained that she felt more comfortable sitting with Cedric than with any of the Gryffindors, leading to her concluding that she was no longer friends with Harry.

She had caught the boy's eye several times during breakfast the morning after their argument. He had an almost apologetic look in his eye. Hermione had thought about going over there and talking to him several times, thinking that perhaps she was a little rash with her decision, but Cedric reminded her that without Ron, and now her, Harry was basically friendless. Seamus, Neville and Dean still believed that he put his name in the Goblet of Fire without telling them about it and nobody else had really bothered with him before. Cedric figured that it was because of his close friendships with her and Ron. They were so tightly knit that nobody dared even try to interfere in their lives. 'The Golden Trio' had come apart oh so easily, Hermione thought and she wanted to snigger at the idea of what everybody must have been thinking during the tension between Harry and Hermione, and Harry and Ron.

Truthfully, Hermione had never really bothered with Ron. They weren't particularly close, by no means. They were friends because of Harry. Ron wanted her to help him pass his classes, but what did Hermione get in return? Nothing. It was like with Harry. He got help and support but Hermione gone nothing back from him. The difference with Cedric was that he gave her things in return. Words of encouragement and support, helpful life advice, plus any homework help that she needed. Not that she did, but Cedric had aced all of his fourth year classes and was exempt from his seventh year classes due to the Tournament, so he had more time to look over things for her. Usually, the verdict was that Hermione needed no improvements on her essays, but she liked the idea of somebody close to her proofreading it just in case her mind was elsewhere and she slipped up.

The latest Hogsmeade visit was upon them and everybody was itching to show the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students about the village. Cedric had taken up the opportunity to spend some time relaxing before the First Task was upon him and invited Hermione to go along with him and his friends. She was nose-deep in a book when he asked and she had looked up, surprised.

"You actually want to me to go? You don't just want me to fill up the carriage?"

Cedric sighed. "Harry and Ron truly did a number on you, didn't they?" Hermione shrugged.

"Well, I've never been really invited places because people want me to go. There's always been an ulterior motive. It's not just Harry and Ron."

Cedric tutted. "I don't understand why you're still defending them both. Besides, those people who didn't appreciate you are clearly deluded. Do you want to come?"

Hermione immediately nodded, then shook her head, biting her lip. "I probably shouldn't. I can spend this time researching the dragons. Maybe I can have a talk with Hagrid…or maybe not. He'll probably spend most of my visit there wondering what happened between Harry and I. Never mind. I can spend some time researching more about the Tournament, maybe. And the customs? Whatever I do, it's time that I can spent looking things up for you. I don't mind. Have a nice time at the village."

Cedric pondered this and figured it would be best not to fight her on it, but wanted to make sure she knew how much he wanted her there. "I'd really like you to be there, but I completely get why you want to stay and it's the sweetest thing that you want to take care of me during this Task. Thank you, Hermione. With your help, I'm going to win."

"I think you'd win anyway. Harry doesn't have a clue, the underestimation of Fleur will drag her confidence down and Viktor..."

"You think he's a threat." It wasn't a question.

Hermione nodded. "I do. He has a fan base internationally for a reason. He's modest and people root for him. But I think you've got him beat, Cedric."

Cedric grinned smugly. "Of course I do. I have you as my own personal researcher."

"And there's your ulterior motive," Hermione clapped her hands together. "Told you, everybody has one!"

Cedric groaned falsely. "You got me there. No, Hermione, you're more than just a researcher. I kind of wanted us to go on a date to Hogsmeade today."

Hermione blushed as Cedric took her hand in his. "I promise that we'll go another time. After the First Task. Because if we start to date and you die while facing your dragon, I'll never forgive you for it. Once you've survived the Task, I'll happily go with you to Hogsmeade."

Cedric nodded, swallowing. "No pressure then. Now I have an extra incentive. If I win, will you kiss me afterwards?"

Hermione smirked. Actually smirked. "If you can beat Viktor, you can have all the kisses you want," she challenged. She knew one thing about boys and that was that they loved a challenged and most of them needed to be the best at their business.

Cedric laughed, hugging her goodbye and joining his friends on the carriage to Hogsmeade. Hermione smiled brightly and waved goodbye.


Ten minutes later, she found herself in her usual corner of the library. She assumed that she would not be disturbed because everybody would have been going to Hogsmeade to enjoy the day. Truthfully, Hermione really didn't want to spend the day answering questions about Harry and Ron or, worse still, face Harry and Ron and have another confrontational encounter with Harry about his lack of effort in the Tournament that could very well kill him. She wasn't going to pretend like she wasn't worried, but she wasn't going to spend every waking minute thinking that Harry was going to die in any one of these tasks.

As she pulled out a book on the Tournament, which had been moved from the Restricted Section due to the necessity of learning more about it because of the upcoming First Task, she stopped slightly, hearing movement from behind her. Holding the book to her chest and spinning around, she gasped.

"Hello," Viktor Krum's low voice greeted somewhat pleasantly.

Hermione was a little taken aback. Not in the star struck way that most of the students (and teachers) at Hogwarts were due to Viktor's celebrity status, but because he was talking to her. People didn't just decide one day to talk to her. They usually wanted something.

"Hello," she replied warmly. It wasn't the quickest conversation starter, but it was jovial, at least.

"How come you are not in Hogsmeade?" Viktor wondered simply. Hermione was impressed with how well he formulated his sentences, what with English not being his native language.

Hermione shrugged. "I just wanted a quiet day to myself with a book."

Viktor crouched and peered up at the book she was holding. "The Triwizard Tournament: A Champion's Guide To Survival? This does not seem like prescribed reading for your studies."

Hermione shook her head. "I…I was reading books about the Tournament so that I could try and help Cedric some more. He was put at a disadvantage already, so he needs all the support he can get."

Viktor frowned. "How so?"

Hermione bit her lip. "He wasn't informed about the dragons until recently. I had to be the one to tell him since nobody else was going to." She realised that might have sounded a little harsh, as if she was blaming him for not talking to Cedric about it. "I don't mean you, I mean Harry. And Hagrid. They were supposed to fill him in, but he was cheated out of the knowledge."

Viktor grunted. "That does not sound fair. If I had known that Hogwarts was going to play favourites with their Champions, I would have spoken to Cedric myself. Does he have a strategy?"

Hermione was a little suspicious of this. "Do you?"

Viktor held his hands up. "I did not mean to pry. I was just making conversation. But yes, I do have a game plan for this Task. Though it does need refining in places, it should work. I only wish I had somebody like you on my side."

Without her permission, Hermione's face heated up. "I'm sure you've got plenty of support on your side."

"Nobody as dedicated and caring as you."

"You don't even know me," Hermione whispered softly.

"I know what I need to know. You are passionate about things. I have been in the library a lot, Hermione. I glance at you sometimes, when you are reading. You look so engrossed in what you are learning and I find it very endearing."

"I just like learning," she admitted.

"Are you and Cedric an item?"

Hermione tilted her head. "Why are you asking?"

"You seem very…defensive."

Hermione sighed. "I don't meant to be. It's just that…people don't really engage in social conversation with me unless they want something."

Viktor sat down opposite her. "I do want something. You. Or at least I did, before the implication that you were unavailable."

"Cedric and I, we're not an item. It seems to be going that way, but…" Hermione broke off, not quite knowing what to say. Hopefully, Viktor would fill in the blanks without her actually having to say it. She and Cedric…

She sighed.

She and Cedric were going somewhere. She liked him and he liked her. That was all well and good but his participation in the Tournament could potentially scupper all of that. Well, not really, but Hermione wasn't ready to think about anything that could possibly split them apart. Those consequences weren't easy to consider at that moment in time.

"You have mutual interest, but nothing has come of it yet. Do you have…reservations about being exclusive with him?"

Hermione paused to consider this, but was distracted when she felt his hand on her outstretched hand. His soft fingers rubbed over her skin gently. She felt a flutter in her chest; the same as when she was around Cedric.

"Maybe some…I don't know. How do you seem to be reading my mind right now?"

Viktor cocked his head. "It's how people work. There's some interest, but does anybody truly know how to get things going?"

"I suppose not. Viktor, why are you asking these questions?"

"I want to get to know you. I…might also want to get to know Cedric a little better, too." Viktor bit his lip and Hermione wanted to gape at him.

Viktor was also bisexual? Two bisexual guys had an interest in her! And she also had an interest in them! And they had an interest in each other?

Was polygamy even an option for witches and wizards?

She suddenly found herself not knowing.

Good thing she was in the library.

"I would like to become friends with you both. And who knows what may happen from there? But I don't want to intrude upon anything currently happening between you and Cedric. If you're open to possibilities, I may have a solution. That is, if Cedric is game. I have heard promising things about his sexuality. Well, promising for me."

Hermione just stared.

"For somebody whom I thought loquacious, you don't have a lot of words on this subject."

"I'm just…shocked."

"What, that I am also into boys?"

"No, how there's a polyamorous triangle of romantic entanglement," Hermione stated once she found her words.

"And it is all mutual?"

Hermione said nothing,

Viktor smirked, getting the hint.

Hermione peered around the corner, hearing the usual gaggle of girls. "Looks like your sycophants are back."

Viktor paled and got up. "I was never here. But I will return. For you. Good day, Hermione."

Hermione bit her lip and opened her book, at long last. Finding the words flitting across the page and swirling around her brain without being truly registered, she slammed it shut again.

Hermione sighed.

Boys.