A few weeks had passed since Vanessa had said yes to going to the Yule Ball with Viktor and they had shared their first kiss. Since then, the two had snuck off into her secret room in the library several times a week. Not wanting her grades to suffer, she did study, but she would also spend several hours making out with the Bulgarian Quidditch star as well.

The only ones who knew of her date to the Ball were Ginny and Hermione. Just as she was the only one to know, Neville Longbottom asked Ginny, and Hermione had been asked by one of Viktor's friends from Durmstrang. Vanessa had helped with that one. One thing was certain. None of the girls were going to tell the Weasley boys about it.

Thanks to the twins, Vanessa had known that Ron had developed feelings for Hermione, though he had yet to man up and tell her.

A few days later, Vanessa was sitting at the Gryffindor table during lunch with Fred and George. Harry and Ron were whining about not having dates to the ball yet. The twins told them they should just ask Hermione and Ginny before it was too late, at which Vanessa laughed.

"What's so funny," Ron asked her.

"You'll be unsuccessful asking either of them. They've both got dates already."

Harry and Ron looked at each other, then back at her. "Who," they asked in unison.

She shook her head. "I'm not telling you. But I will say this, next time you want to ask someone to a ball, don't wait till the last minute."

Grabbing her book bag, Vanessa got up from her spot in between the twins. She was still smiling as she said goodbye, leaving the two fourth-year boys still had dumbstruck grins on their faces.

"Well she's not wrong," Fred said, as he finished up his lunch.

"Yeah, who are you going with then?"

"Angelina. This one doesn't have a date yet though," he said, tilting his head toward George.

George looked at Fred, then over at Vanessa who had just walked out of the Great Hall. He grabbed his things and stood up, rushing out of the hall after her, leaving Fred, Harry, and Ron behind.

"Vanessa!"

The brunette turned around. She had just walked out of the castle and was headed down to the lake to read, when she heard someone calling her name.

She turned around and saw George running toward her.

"Will you go to the ball with me?" he asked, trying to catch his breath.

He looked down at her intently, seeing her cheeks turn a shade of pink. She bit her lip uncomfortably and looked up at him, almost getting lost in his eyes.

"I can't," she said softly.

"Come on Nessa, don't play around, just say yes."

"Someone's already asked me, and I told them I would go with them."

"You're lying."

She shook her head. "I'm not lying."

"Well, who is it then?"

"That's none of your business George Weasley. I'll tell you the same thing I told your brother. Next time you want to ask someone to a ball, don't wait till the last minute."

"I just assumed you would go with Fred or I, but he has a date already," said George.

"Oh right, because there isn't a chance someone else might be interested in me. Not Vanessa. Not Quidditch playing, tomboyish Vanessa. Just because it took you so long to ask me." She didn't realize how loud she had started to get, but multiple people had started to stare at them.

He just stared down at her, his jaw dropping. She had never raised her voice at him like that before, and he didn't like it. When he didn't respond to her, she turned and took off towards the lake. She didn't want to be around him at the moment. She didn't want to be around anyone. She was too upset. She headed to the secluded spot that she and Viktor had gone to on their walk and sat down against an oak tree. For the first time in a very long time, she cried.

Vanessa returned to the castle several hours later, her eyes red from all the crying she had done. But she didn't bother covering it up. As she entered the Great Hall for dinner, several of her Slytherin housemates had asked if she was alright, but she just lied. She didn't want anyone to know the truth. She didn't want anyone to know that she had been crying over George. She didn't want people knowing she had developed feelings for him.

She took her spot next to Viktor, and he immediately started asking her what was wrong. The two had kept whatever was going on between them to themselves, with the exception of Hermione and Ginny. But Vanessa knew she could trust the two girls.

Vanessa didn't want the whole school to make a big deal about their relationship. She also didn't want to deal with the criticism she knew she would get from her brother's friends. She knew all that would come once they attended the ball together.

"Nothing is wrong. I was just reading a book and it got me emotional."

"You're sure?" Viktor had spoken quietly and reached his hand under the table to squeeze Vanessa's.

She smiled up at him. "I promise."

She finished up her dinner and grabbed her things. She told Viktor she would see him the next day, saying that she had been tired and just wanted to go to bed.

As she left the Great Hall she was greeted by Hermione and Ginny, both of whom had seen her crying and had concerned looks on their faces. She told them. She told them everything. From Harry and Ron wanting to ask them to the dance last minute, to her argument with George.

"I knew this was bound to happen," Ginny said. "My brothers are prats. I mean what did he expect? For you to drop everything and go with him?"

"And the nerve of Harry and Ron to wait till the last minute to ask us. And not even thinking of it themselves," Hermione said.

The older girl knew that both Hermione and Ginny would probably have preferred to go with Ron and Harry, not that either boy knew how they felt.

"Boys are gits. And speaking of-" Vanessa had seen Fred and George making their way towards the entrance hall. "I'm going to bed." She said good night to the two of them. Before disappearing down the staircase to the Slytherin dormitory, she had heard the twins call after her, but Ginny had stopped them both, scolding them for being idiots.

Vanessa spent the Saturday before the ball in an apparition class that was put on by the Ministry. She would be seventeen in just a few months and wanted to be ready for her test when the time came. To no one's surprise, she was the only one in the class to apparate, which gained her praise from the professors and the instructor.

She still hadn't talked to the twins since she had yelled at George, not even when they were sitting right next to each other in classes. She had heard from Ginny that Fred was taking Angelina Johnson to the ball, while George was taking Alicia Spinnet. Part of her had hoped that maybe something would come from them going to the Yule Ball with the two Gryffindor Chasers. Angelina and Fred didn't surprise her after he had told them what he smelled in his Amortentia. But George was different, part of her hoped nothing would develop between him and Alicia. Not that she should care, she had Viktor.

The day of the ball had finally arrived. Everyone was curious to see who was going to be showing up with who. Vanessa's dorm mates were particularly curious about who she would be attending with after finding out she wasn't going with either of her best friends. But she remained silent.

She loved magic. She had never been one for makeup or doing her hair, but with a few waves of her wand, she had found the perfect look. Her makeup was subtle and soft, except for the smokey eye she had finally perfected. She styled her long hair in soft curls, that she pinned to the side to fall elegantly over her right shoulder. But it wasn't until she put on the dress that her mother had gotten her that she felt something she had never felt before.

Standing in front of her mirror, she looked at herself for a good while. The floor-length dress was all lace. It was a long-sleeved dress, the dark emerald green blending into black towards her waistline. Her shoulders were bare as the sleeves of the dress started on the upper part of her arm. She had never felt so beautiful before.

She put on a set of silver and emerald earrings and a matching necklace her grandmother had gotten her when she had been sorted into Slytherin her first year. Not sure how much dancing she would be doing, and not being one for heels, she put on a pair of black flats.

Vanessa looked once more in the mirror, happy with how everything turned out. She went to her trunk and pulled out the small vial her mother had given her over the summer. Would she need it tonight? She and Viktor had grown close since his arrival at the school and had been spending so much time together. She wasn't sure where his head was at though.

Shrugging her shoulders, she took the stopper out and drank the potion. Her mother said it would last a whole year, so even if nothing happened tonight, she would be prepared if something happened later on.

The common room was mostly empty when she walked through. There were a few underclassmen who weren't able to attend the dance scattered throughout the room, but most of the older students had already left. She walked up the stairs, all of a sudden feeling very nervous. She opened the door to the entrance hall and suddenly it felt like all eyes were on her.

"Vanessa, is that you?" It was her brother. He had been standing off to the side with Cho, waiting for instructions from McGonagall.

She smiled and walked over to him. He still looked stunned. "It's me."

"You look beautiful Nessa," Cedric said. "Who are you going with?"

"That would be me." A thick Bulgarian accent sounded behind her. She turned around and looked up at Viktor. He was wearing red dress robes with a fur lining. "You look beautiful." He took her hand and kissed it, as he had so many times before.

"Champions, please line up with your partners. Miss Delacour, you'll be entering first with Mr. Davies. Mr. Diggory, you'll be next with Miss Chang. Then Mr. Krum and Miss Diggory, followed by Mr. Potter and Miss Patil. Once inside you'll take your seats at the main table with Professor Dumbledore, Madame Maxime, and Professor Karkaroff. When the feast is concluded, you will make your way to the dance floor for the champions dance. After that, you will be free to enjoy the rest of the evening."

Music had started playing on the other side of the doors, signaling it was time for the champions to enter. As soon as the doors opened, they made their way into the hall in the order Professor McGonagall had instructed them. The crowd around them cheered as they made their way toward the main table. That was when she saw him looking at her with a stunned expression on his face. It made her blush.

"Is that Vanessa with Viktor Krum," Alicia asked curiously.

"Looks like it. She looks beautiful," Angelina said next to her.

Fred looked over at George, who he could tell was not happy by this revelation.

Once at the main table, Viktor had held her chair out for her. She had been seated next to her brother. He immediately leaned over to her. "You and Krum?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but we've been seeing each other since after the first task. Well, seeing might be the wrong word. We aren't dating or anything. But I enjoy his company. Just be happy for me, okay?"

"I am happy for you Ness. I honestly thought it would be one of the twins."

"Well, it's not. And thank you, for the compliment earlier. You look very dashing yourself."

He smiled down at his sister before turning back to Cho. Vanessa picked up the menu on her plate and, like the rest of the table, spoke her order at her plate, food appearing moments later.

She had Viktor conversed as they ate, his compliments seemed never-ending. Professor Karkaroff, who had been sitting next to Viktor, also struck up a conversation with Vanessa. She had an odd feeling about the headmaster, but politely answered the questions he had been asking.

The time came for dancing, something else Vanessa had never done. Viktor led her to the dance floor, and as soon as the music started, led her in a waltz along with the rest of the champions. She felt safe in his arms. Once the song ended, The Weird Sisters took the stage. They were her favorite band.

She and Viktor danced the night away. When another slow song started, her brother had asked her for a dance, which she obliged, though Viktor didn't want to let her go. But she was back in his arms once the next song started. Everything was perfect. She had gotten multiple compliments on her dress from her classmates, as well as Ginny and Hermione.

When Viktor had left her to grab them some Butterbeer, she went to sit down at an empty table. She wasn't alone long though. "You came with Krum? He's your brother's competition in the tournament."

It was only a matter of time before they approached her. They took a seat next to her at the table.

"Yeah, it's like you're fraternizing with the enemy."

She rolled her eyes. "How dare either of you say that."

"Well, it's true. How does Cedric feel about you going out with that oaf?"

"It's really none of your business Fred. But unlike you, Cedric doesn't mind. He's actually happy for me."

"How long has it been going on?"

She looked at George this time. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Krum, how long have you two been together."

Vanessa stood up from her chair, looking down at both of them. She looked down at the mark on her wrist before flashing it at the both of them.

"Is this what you two are worried about? Want to make sure I haven't slept with him? Well, what I do and who I do it with is none of your concern. So why don't you both go back to your dates and worry about them."

"Come on Vanessa."

"No George. Just because you're mad I didn't say yes to you, doesn't mean you can come over here and act like a prat. And Fred, well I'm not sure why you're upset when you're here with who you want to be with. Viktor has been the perfect gentleman and I'm glad I came with him."

"He's just using you to get information on your brother."

"Shut your mouth, George Weasley! I would have gladly gone with you if you would have asked me sooner. I was honestly hoping you would, but you didn't." She knew what she had said, and she didn't regret it. She had hoped he would ask as soon as they found out about the ball, but then everything started with Viktor.

"Stop smiling, you prats. This isn't funny."

"Is everything alright here." Viktor had returned and was standing behind her. The twins both stood from their chairs, glaring at the Bulgarian.

"We happen to be having a conversation with our friend, so you can just wait," said Fred.

"No, I think we're done here." Vanessa turned around and took her butterbeer from Viktor. Instead of heading back out onto the dance floor, she took his hand and led him out of the castle. The grounds had been enchanted to look like a magical garden, and she thought it would be the perfect place to escape for a bit.

They walked down the pathway, seeing couples running off behind bushes to be alone. She sipped on her butterbeer, the cold air hitting her shoulders, but not bothering her. She found a secluded area with a bench, and they both sat down.

"Your friends weren't being very nice to you, were they?"

"Let's not talk about that." She set her butterbeer down and grabbed his hand. "Thank you for taking me tonight. I've had a wonderful time."

He pulled her closer to him, wrapping an arm around her. "It was my pleasure." Closing the space between them, he leaned in and kissed her. Not her lips as he normally did, but her neck. This caused a moan to escape her lips.

She was feeling something, something that Viktor had brought out in her the night they first kissed in the library.

His lips moved from her neck and down to her bare shoulder. A shiver ran down her spine. His kisses were driving her mad. She reached her hand under his chin and brought her lips to his. She kissed him fiercely, almost hungrily, until he pulled away.

"I care about you very much. You've made me feel like no other woman has before. But I want to be honest with you."

She looked into his eyes. Was he turning her down? For a moment she was ready to give herself to him completely, but he was going to turn her down. She let go of him and stood up from the bench. "You don't need to explain. I should have known. You could have any girl you want. Why would you want someone like me?"

He stood up and grabbed her hand. "That's not what I'm saying. Well, not really."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm only here till the end of the tournament. Then I'll be going back to Bulgaria to play Quidditch. I want to spend as much time with you as I can before I leave. But I don't want you giving this up," he rubbed his thumb over her birthmark. "When I can't promise you what I would want to."

"I figured you've been with hundreds of women. That's what all the magazines and papers have said."

This made Viktor laugh. "All lies. I'm only eighteen after all. Unlike the stories, I don't just jump into bed with someone. You're the first girl who has treated me like a normal person, not like a celebrity. That's why I fell for you. I didn't mean to, but I did. I'm not sorry about it. But knowing I won't be here past the summer, knowing I won't see you every day, I don't want to take something from you that you'll never get back, not when I know we can't be more than we are right now."

Vanessa was shocked by his honesty but also understood. There weren't many men like Viktor Krum in the world. "But we can still enjoy our time together before you leave?"

"Of course. And I'm hoping you'll visit me while you're in Romania this summer. Maybe even come to a game or two?"

"It would be my honor, Mr. Krum."

He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips, before pulling away again. "Should we go back to the ball?"

"I think I have a few more dances left in me."

The pair made their way back to the castle, walking hand in hand with one another, completely unaware that their whole conversation had been overheard by the pair of twins she had gone outside to get away from.