"Yeah, I'm fine," Holly says Hermione, "Do you know if Harry told Cedric about the dragons?"
"Yeah, he found him before class. Did you find Viktor?"
Holly blushes even more, "Yeah, I found him swimming in the lake."
"In this weather? Wasn't he cold?"
"Um, I didn't ask him, I forgot to. Anyway, I told him about the dragons."
"How did you find Viktor at the lake?"
"Archimedes led me to him."
Hermione smirked, "Is that why you're blushing."
"No, I didn't see anything."
"I didn't say you did, but obviously you did."
"Shut up, Hermione," Holly said then ignored her.
Hermione giggled and turned to pay attention to Professor Flitwick.
As soon as class was over, Holly, Harry, Hermione, and Neville went to the library. They had to research dragons to see what they could do against them. It was going to be difficult since Holly and Harry were only fourth years; their knowledge of spells wasn't nearly as good as the others. Eventually, Professor asked Harry and Holly to his office, but Holly had a bad feeling about him and told Harry.
"Harry, don't go. I have a bad feeling about him. I don't trust Professor Moody."
"Holly, Professor Moody is an ex-Auror. What could possibly go wrong."
Holly stared at Harry, "Harry, every year, we've had terrible Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers, except with Moony, and he had his furry little problem. We can't trust Moody."
"Hol, if Moody makes you uncomfortable, don't go, but I am. I'll tell him you had detention or something."
"Thanks, Harry, be careful around him."
"I will."
After that, Holly went back to the library to do more research on the dragons. After a while, Viktor came and plopped down in the chair opposite her and sighed; Holly glanced up from the book she was reading, "Are you, okay, Viktor?"
"Da, I am taking break from studying about dragons."
"Do you know how you're going to face the dragon? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No, I do not mind, but I must varn you that I plan on winning."
"That's fine with me, Viktor, Harry, and I only want to survive this. I have no interest in eternal glory or the prize money."
Viktor nods, "I plan on going in and be direct and use force. But it depends on Vhat dragon I get. Vhat are you going to do?"
Holly shrugs, "I don't know yet. I thought of using my speed and agility to avoid the dragon and a few transfiguration spells."
Viktor looked at Holly, concerned, "Vill that be enough?"
"I hope so," Holly closed her book and looked into Viktor's eyes, "You know, this weekend is our Hogsmead visit and um, I was wondering if you wanted to go with me?"
Viktor crossed his arms and smirked at Holly, "Are you asking me out on a date?"
"No, just two friends spending time together," Holly said, blushing furiously.
Viktor leaned forward and took Holly's hands. He looked her in the eyes and kissed her knuckles, "I vould luff to go vith you to Hogsmead."
Holly smiles brightly, "Great!"
"Let us meet the front doors Saturday morning after breakfast," Viktor tells her.
"Alright."
Holly and Viktor talk until the library closes. He gives her a few spells that might be useful with her speed and agility. Viktor knew that if Karkaroff found out he was helping Holly, he would get into a lot of trouble. But Viktor didn't want anything to happen to Holly. Once the library closed, Viktor walks Holly to Gryffindor Tower; he kisses her hand then leaves for his ship. Holly sighed and walked through the portrait hole. Holly didn't answer Hermione and Ginny, who called her as she made her way up to the dorms. Hermione and Ginny looked at each other and decided to go upstairs to talk with Holly.
When they arrived, Holly was already in bed, "Is there something the matter, Hol," Hermione asked.
"No, Mione, nothing's wrong. Everything's brilliant," Holly said with a smile.
"What happened," Ginny asked.
"I saw Viktor in the library and asked him if he wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me on Saturday."
Ginny's mouth fell open, "You asked him?"
"Yes, I did," Holly tells her friend proudly.
"Judging by that smile, he accepted," Hermione said
"Yes, he did."
"Good for you, Holly," Ginny tells her.
"Thank you,"
"So, is this a date?"
"I don't know, maybe," Holly says then blushes.
Ginny squeals and embraces Holly, "Your first date, and it's with Viktor Krum!"
"Shh, I don't want the whole tower to know," Holly says.
"Right, well, you have to let me get ready on Saturday for your date," Ginny tells her.
Holly sighs, "Alright, Ginny, as long as you don't go overboard."
"Trust me, Viktor is going to die when he sees you."
"Okay, well, girls, I'm tired. I want to go to bed, goodnight."
With that, Ginny left, and Hermione went to get ready for bed.
The rest of the week was a blur for Holly. She was distracted about the first task and her date with Viktor. She wasn't sure what her plan for the dragon was going to work. Holly needed someplace to practice, but where? Luckily Luna Lovegood came to the rescue.
Luna had seen Holly practicing her gymnastics but could see that Holly was getting frustrated, and Luna decided to talk with Holly. She mentioned that the Wrackspurts were confusing Holly; that's why she couldn't do her tumbling right.
"Maybe you're right, Luna."
"What you need is the Come and Go Room," Luna said in her dreamy voice.
"Come and Go Room?"
"Yes, come with me, and I'll show you."
Holly shrugged and followed Luna. They went to the seventh-floor corridor and Luna pacing in front of a wall three times. Holly thought Luna was weird until a door appeared. When Luna opened the door, Holly gasped. Inside the room was a gymnastics room with everything that would help Holly train.
"What is this place?"
"The Come and Go Room, also known as the Room of Requirement. It will turn into whatever the person needs it to be."
"This is perfect, Luna, thank you."
"You're welcome; This room should help keep the Wrackspurts away from you."
"Um, Okay, thanks again."
"Would you mind if I watch," Luna asks.
"Not at all."
Holly found a locker that had dragon hide gloves that would protect her hands. She warmed up and stretched, then put her Holly placed her wand in her holster. She began her tumbling using springboards to get the height she needed and doing flips, then landing and casting spells. Holly practiced for two hours later called it a day. Luna told her she was very impressed with her abilities and hoped that she won.
"I'll be happy if I don't get roasted."
The rest of the week went by in a blur for Holly; she couldn't wait for the weekend. When the weekend rolled around, Holly was in her dorm, getting ready for her date with Viktor. Ginny curled her long auburn hair and had applied a little bit of makeup. Holly decided to wear a pair of black skinny jeans, a red turtle neck, and black boots. She grabbed her black wool coat and headed downstairs with Hermione and Ginny for breakfast.
Viktor was talking to his friends when he noticed Holly walked into the Great Hall his mouth fell open at how lovely Holly looked. Aleksandur laughed and patted Viktor on the back. Zatvori ustata si, Viktor, shte khvanesh mukhi. (Close your mouth, Viktor, you'll catch flies.) Viktor glared at his friend, who laughed. Holly looked over when she heard laughing and saw that Viktor was staring at her; she blushed prettily.
The girls went and sat down at the table with Harry and Neville. Ron sat with Dean and Seamus, still glaring at Holly and Harry. Harry glared back, "He's never going to get over this, is he?"
"Give Ron some time. Eventually, he'll realize how stupid he's being," Ginny tells Harry.
Harry nods and notices how his sister is dressed, "Where are you going all dressed up?"
"What do you mean, Today is Hogsmeade visit," Holly tells her twin.
Harry nods and thinks nothing else of it.
After they eat breakfast, Holly makes her way out of the Great Hall to wait for Viktor. A few moments later, Holly feels someone touch her elbow, she turns around and comes face to chest with Viktor. Holly smiles up at him. "Good morning, Viktor."
"Good morning, Holly. You look beautiful."
"Thank you; you look very handsome."
Viktor smiles down at her, he then offers his arm, "Shall ve go?"
Holly takes his arm, "Yes, let's get going."
Holly and Viktor decide to walk down to Hogsmeade instead of taking the carriages so that they can talk and enjoy each other's company. When they get to the village, Holly begins to drag Viktor around to all the shops. She shows him Honeydukes Sweetshop; they spend a couple of minutes in there buying some candy. Zonko's Joke Shop. Holly laughed at all the pranks that the twins were buying, and Viktor thought that her laugh was the sweetest sound he had ever heard. She then dragged Viktor to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop, where Holly buys some extra quills. Holly and Viktor went into Dervish and Banges, magical instruments, and looked around. Holly took Viktor to see the Shrieking Shack, which was supposed to be the most haunted place in all of Britain. Viktor looked at her with a raised eyebrow, Holly only shrugged. But he loved how her emerald eyes sparkled as she told him all about the building and Hogsmeade.
At lunch, they went to the Three Broomsticks to get something to eat and have some butter beers. While they were enjoying their lunch, Harry, Hermione, and Neville came in. Harry looked around and spotted Holly with Viktor in the corner, having lunch together. Harry turned red and started walking towards them until Hermione grabbed his arm.
"Harry, don't. Don't ruin this for Holly."
"But that's Viktor Krum."
"So?"
"He's too old for her."
"Oh come off it, Harry, he's only three years older than Holly. And he's very respectful. Harry, she likes him, don't interfere."
Harry huffs, "Fine."
Harry takes a seat on the far side of the room from Holly and Viktor so that he can easily spy on them. Hermione rolls her eyes and orders their lunch. After lunch, Holly and Viktor sit there and talk for a while and drink butter beers. As they sit there drinking their butter beers, Viktor reaches out and takes Holly's hand, "So, Tell me, Holly, what classes do you like?"
"I like Transfigurations and Defense Against the Dark Arts. My Godfather says that my dad was good at Transfigurations and DADA while my mom was good at Charms and Potions. Harry's good at Charms and DADA. What about you?"
"I am good at Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfigurations. Potions I do fairly well."
"I think I would to if Professor Snape didn't hate me."
Viktor's brow furrows, "Vhy does he hate you?"
"I don't know, but he's always treated Harry and me like crap."
Viktor's eyes narrow, he didn't like the thought of anyone treating Holly poorly.
Holly noticed that Viktor was getting angry and squeezed his hand, "It's okay Viktor, after four years of his crap, I've learned to ignore him."
"I still do not like it."
"Tell me about Bulgaria."
Viktor brightens, "I live in the magical community of Sofia. It is the capital of Bulgaria. It is a beautiful city located below Vitosha Mountain. The city's landmarks reflect more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupation. Medieval Boyana Church has 13th-century frescoes. Built by the Romans in the 4th century, St. George Rotunda Church has medieval and Ottoman decoration dating to the 10th century. I think you vould like it."
"And your family?"
"I live with my Mama and Papa, and I have two siblings, a younger brother, and sister. My father's name is Marko, and my mother is Anna. My little brother's name is Yosif, and my little sister is Sofija. They are nine and six."
As they head back to the castle, Holly shivered. Viktor noticed and put his arm around her, causing Holly to look up at him and blush. He smiled down at her and pulled her closer. Holly couldn't help but think that Viktor had a beautiful smile. As they made their way up towards the castle, Holly and Viktor suddenly heard yipping coming towards them. Out of the forest came Archimedes. He jumped into Holly's arms and licked her face, causing Holly to laugh. The arctic fox reached out and licked Viktor's face as well as stunning the boy and causing Holly to laugh harder. Viktor chuckled and took the fox from Holly. Archimedes climbed up onto Viktor's shoulder and draped himself over his shoulder, claiming Viktor as his.
When they got to the castle, Viktor walked Holly to Gryffindor Tower, "I had a vonderful time, Holly."
"So did, Viktor, thank you."
"No, thank you. I look forvard to spending more time vith you."
"Me too."
Viktor then kisses Holly's cheek, "Goodnight, malŭk gŭlŭb," Viktor says, then turns around to leave.
Holly calls after him, "Viktor, what does that mean?"
He smirks, "I vill tell you some other time."
When Viktor disappears down the stairs, Holly turns to the fat lady to give the password. The painting smirks at her, "He's got it bad for you, dearie."
Holly blushes and gives the password and goes inside.