Chapter six-
VIKTOR KRUM COMES TO HOGWARTS
Hermione spent the whole week trying her best to distract herself from the ill-thought of Draco and Pansy being together. She had tried her best to ignore them every time she would come across the two. It was really annoying her. She was dying to end the week to take a little break. When finally it was Friday, she waited rather impatiently for the classes to end; their last class is Defense against the Dark Arts.
She went there early with Harry and Ron so that she can get everything over with. They were busy comparing their essay assignments. It was supposed to be due 3 weeks ago but Professor Marsters was sick and haven't attended his class since. Luckily, they were just given seat works and home works, not substitute teachers, for it will surely be Snape.
"Ron," Hermione spoke. "You've written your essay in bold letters and you're still two inches short! And you too Harry." she turned to face him "four inches short? I'm surprised with you!"
Ron and Harry frowned slightly at her.
"Never mind that!" Ron said, rolling his eyes. "I mean, who cares anyway? Professor Marsters will probably not show up!"
Harry nodded "He's right you know! I bet he's still sick!"
Hermione glared at the two and shook her head. "I can't believe you two! I think professor Marsters will be here soon and the two of you will be in big trouble" She said
She was about to continue her nagging when Professor Mcgonagall entered.
"Attention everyone! I'm very sorry to tell you that Professor Marsters will still not be able to teach. He's still in critical condition and wishes to have a short vacation. However he left you Seat works and Home works to do, so please finish it. His substitute will come next week."
At that, everyone groaned. They heard Seamus talking to Dean.
"I hope it's not Snape!" he whispered.
"Me too! But I doubt it!"
Professor Mcgonagall interrupted them again.
"The seat works will be passed at exactly three o'clock. You still have twenty minutes to finish it! Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to go to the Faculty meeting. Please behave yourselves! I'll be back!"
And she went immediately out of the classroom.
"I told you!" Ron said with a look of triumph in his face.
Hermione just rolled her eyes "Whatever!" she whispered and went on concentrating in her book.
When the classes finally ended, Hermione joined Harry, Ron Ginny and Cho for dinner. They talked about a lot of stuff but no one mentioned the dance, as to not upset Hermione. Later that night, Hermione can't sleep, she wasn't really that sleepy, she wanted to relax, she wanted to have very relaxing bath. So she took Harry's cloak and headed for the prefects bathroom. She didn't want to go there again because she might run in to Malfoy like before, but she continued. Luckily she didn't find Malfoy in there. She dipped in the bath and relaxed. All the stuff that's been crowding in her mind slowly melted away. Maybe this was all she needed to do to calm her down. After few more minutes she finally rose out of the large bath and changed to her night dress. She put on Harry's cloak and quietly stormed out of the prefect's bathroom. She was almost half way through the stairs when Mrs. Norris showed up, followed by the voice of Mr. Filch.
"Anyone here my sweet?"
At that, she felt very nervous. She didn't want to lose house points and get detention. So, she hurriedly ran away from the stairs. She was running so fast that she didn't see where she was going, she was still wearing Harry's cloak when she bumped hard and fell right on top of someone.
Draco lied there unable to move something just knocked him down hard and was lying on top of him. (He was going to the kitchen to sneak some midnight snacks.) When he looked to see who was lying above him he was flabbergasted! Hermione's head was floating in front of him!
"What the hell!?" He whispered.
Hermione reached for the hem and pulled the cloak off. She was on top of him and was shocked to see him.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" she whispered.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"I could ask the same question Granger! Don't you look at where you're going? I mean, honestly, you go running around with Potter's dumb cloak and you don't even try your best not to get caught!" He spat in a low annoying tone.
Hermione glared at him. "For your information Malfoy, I am not like you who strut around the corridor with blush-on girl and snog where ever they want without even thinking what the teachers would do if they catch you! At least I roam around at night when there is so little chance that people would see me, not like you who clearly don't care what people might say!"
"Oh yeah!?" said Draco.
With his fast reflexes rolled over on top of her and pinned her down the floor. He raised his eyebrow but put it down again, he looked at her, it was dark but he can see Hermione's pretty face. She looked at him and their eyes met. They were so close to each other that she could have sworn he would kiss her. It was a little dark but his gray eyes glittered. Draco was gazing intently at her, scrutinizing every part of her face. His gaze then fell on her lips. It was so red, so tempting. Hermione licked her lips in nervousness. Their faces were almost an inch close when suddenly they sensed a small piercing eye fixed on them. "Meow!"
It was Mrs. Norris. She finally went back to reality and stood up immediately away from Draco. She was breathing so hard. Without a word and back-glance, she ran away as fast as she could at the Girl's dorm. She didn't have the time to change anymore. Her head was too preoccupied with the thoughts of what just happened. It was so unnerving! Of all the people! Why does she always have to bump on Draco? He was the last Person she would want to bump into! But what took place awhile ago wasn't exactly the least thing she wanted. She knew, within her that there was something in the way they had looked at each other. But whatever it was, she knew she has to disregard it and forget it. It meant nothing. She pondered on the incident for a moment until she dozed off.
***********************
Saturday morning came. Hermione woke up late that morning with a disturbing headache. She realized that she slept with her hair wet last night. She pulled the curtain of her four-poster and saw Parvati fixing her bed.
"Oh! You're up! Ron and Harry were looking for you and they said someone wanted to see you. They also asked why you didn't show up for breakfast"
Hermione groaned "Oh. My head aches! Who's looking for me and where are they anyway?" She asked as she started fixing her bed.
"I dunno who, but they are at the Quidditch field, playing" Parvati said.
Hermione took a bath, took her Hogwarts. A History book and went down to the field without even taking her breakfast.
As she drew nearer to the field she saw two figures riding their broom up in the air. She saw that the other figure was red haired and thin, no doubt it's Ron. But when she looked at the other figure following him, it doesn't look anything like Harry. In fact, it wasn't Harry; it was someone else, someone familiar. She reached the field and saw Harry on the benches near the poles. She approached him and sat beside him.
"Hey Harry! Good morning! How come you're not flying? And who's that with Ron?"
She asked as she opened her book to read. But before Harry could answer, Ron was swooping down and the other figure followed him. Ron reached the ground and so did the figure.
"Good morning Hermione!" she heard Ron say.
"Good morning too Ron!" she answered back, with out looking at him. "Who's that, flying with you?" she asked.
"Hello Hermione! Nice to see you again!"
She heard a low familiar voice. She lifted her nose from her book, her mouth fell open. There in front of her was Viktor Krum. She was speechless at first. She didn't know what to say.
"Uhm-are you ok? Looks like you're stunned!" Viktor said, with a wide smile on his face.
"Oh-Uhm. hi Viktor! What are you doing here?! I thought you're already playing in the national league? And your English. it's more fluent now. You speak really clear!" Hermione finally blurted out.
"Yeah! I'm playing in the national league, but my parents told me that I should get real job. You know a paying one that can last until I grow old. I figured I can't play Quidditch forever. So, I thought I'd go here and teach Defense against the Dark Arts. And oh. about my English, I studied proper speaking for almost a year and I'm happy there was progress!"
He explained while smiling at her. She sat down, with a stunned look on her face.
"What? You're going to be our teacher? But how about Professor Marsters?"
She asked him. Viktor just laugh.
"Don't worry I'm just the substitute. Besides, Dumbledore thinks I'm fitted for the job!" he sat beside her. Harry and Ron however stood up and started flying again.
"I missed you a lot, you know! It's been quite a long time since I've seen you! And I must say, something's, never change. You're still beautiful! Actually you're even more beautiful now!" Viktor looked at her intently, his eyes were shining.
Hermione felt herself blush and whispered so softly.
"Thank you! You look great too!"
She smiled at him sweetly.
Draco and his teammates were heading for the Quidditch pitch for their weekly practice. As he steps in the field he immediately spotted Ron and Harry. Then he saw Hermione sitting in one of the benches talking to someone who looks oddly familiar.
He walked towards them to take a closer look and suddenly his jaw fell open.
"That's Krum! What's he doing here?" he asked Malcolm Baddock, the new Slytherin chaser.
"I don't know. maybe visiting Granger. He fancies him remember?"
Draco stopped at his tracks and accidentally dropped his broom at that remark.
His teammates eyed him curiously. Draco suddenly blushed.
"W-What?" he spat pretending not to be embarrassed.
Malcolm just flashed a wide grin (the kind that says I know what that's about) and muttered
"Nothing! Let's play!" and he turned rode his broom and kicked off to the air.
*****************
Hermione and Viktor spent the whole Saturday roaming around the palace and sharing each others stories. Viktor told her about his last days at Durmstrang and his days at the national league. She could clearly see he was happy that he's now here at Hogwarts.
"Why don't you teach at Durmstrang then?" Hermione asked him curiously. "I mean, it's not that I don't want you here, I just thought you would want to because you studied there."
Viktor just smiled. "Oh. that," he said "I was supposed to teach there, but there was no vacant subject to teach, there is one but who would want to teach History of Magic?" he laugh. "It's not really my specialty. So when I heard about the vacation of Professor Marsters, I thought it'll be a good idea to apply. And eventually, Professor Dumbledore accepted me. Well, enough about me, how about you?"
Hermione told her everything that's been happening to Hogwarts including all the things Malfoy did to her.
They went back to the castle and went to the Great Hall to eat dinner. Hermione sat in the Gryffindor table, together with her friends while Viktor sat next to Professor Dumbledore and the other teachers.
"Why didn't you tell me he was coming?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron. "I supposed you know about this a long time ago."
Ron and Harry smiled at her. "Not really a long time ago," Ron said "just last week."
Harry turned to Hermione "We didn't tell you because he wanted to surprise you!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, I was surprised alright!"
After a few minutes the noise was broken by Dumbledore's voice.
"Everyone, may I have your attention please. I have a very important announcement to make. Since the absence of Professor Marsters, our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, we have been informed that students are getting bored with all the home works and seat works given to them, we decided to have a substitute teacher."
There were murmurings all around the hall. Malfoy, who wasn't focusing his attention, didn't look but listened at Dumbledore's words. He was drinking his pumpkin juice when suddenly, he heard Dumbledore speak again.
"Please give a hand for Mr. Viktor Krum!"
At that Draco accidentally spat the pumpkin juice at Goyle's face.
The whole Slytherin table was looking at him.
"What?!" he asked trying to hide the embarrassment.
His face went red. He was almost sweating and there was a very uneasy feeling in his tummy. He didn't like it. He thought he should not care anymore and he's with Pansy now. He can't be affected.
"Draco? You're looking pale, are you alright?"
Pansy's voice cracked through his thoughts. Draco took a deep breath and gave her a faint, nervous smile.
"I'm ok... no need to worry. You go ahead and eat. I'm not really hungry."
Pansy shrugged and continued eating.
Draco lied on his bed, staring blankly at its canopy. He knew that there was something wrong with him. "What's the big deal if that Krum stays here? I mean, what is it to me? Who cares?" he asked himself. His mind was running and he was thinking about what Krum and Hermione had been doing all day. He had never seen her look so happy ever since that day in the gardens, when she and her friends had a picnic. He even thought she was happier than ever.
"Argh..! This is stupid! What am I thinking?!" he asked himself as he covered his face with his hands and rubbed it vigorously.
He couldn't sleep. He tried closing his eyes but every time he does, the picture of Hermione and Krum always shows up!
"Damn! I hate this!" He didn't know if he would feel angry at himself or what ever it is he should feel. He knew he had to stop this immediately. He had never been so confused.
"No, this is just a fixation! Nothing more!"
He sigh as he felt himself calm down, and his mind drowning. A few minutes later, he drifted off to sleep.
*****************
Hermione was very happy today. Viktor Krum is here. She never told anyone but she really liked him. He was a good person, kind, handsome and popular. He was the typical dream guy of every girl. And now he's here and his feelings for Hermione hadn't change a bit. He still likes her and he's still hoping that she'll be his girl. She was happy because finally the help she needed came. She had been so confused about her feelings for Draco. She didn't even know if what she was feeling is what she thought it was. She didn't like the idea of her liking Malfoy.
"It was disgusting!" she thought. "Now Viktor is here, and he likes me! I like him too! End of story! No Malfoy!!!"
She muttered to herself as she was lying on her bed staring blankly at its canopy. She shook her head vigorously to shake of the thought of Draco. She closed her eyes and tried her best to fall asleep but every time she would the image of Draco smiling at her would show up.
"This is stupid!" she hissed at herself.
It was too much. She was really having a hard time sleeping until finally at two in the morning her eyes finally surrendered and she fell asleep.
********************
Next morning, Draco woke up feeling like he had been hit by a truck. He fixed his bed and hurriedly hit the showers. The water was so cold he felt numb. He was busy soaping when he had a glimpse of the field outside the castle. Over there he can see the rising sun and the calm and beautiful black lake. "The giant octopus must still be asleep." He thought.
As he was gazing through the whole grounds his eyes fell on the Quidditch pitch. He saw figure sitting on the bench near the broom storage room door and was painting the view of the Quidditch field. He leaned closely to the window to have a much closer glimpse and then his jaw feel open. Krum was painting the field. He watched him as he changed the paper and stated drawing something else. It was a little far so he couldn't really see what he was doing. Draco pulled his wand on the drawer of the mirror in the bathroom and pointed it to his eyes and said
"Katakana Mata!"
His eyes got wider and the view of Krum was getting larger as he tapped. Then after few more taps he can finally see a clearer view of what Krum was doing. He didn't have to care but it interested him. He saw Krum drawing a figure of a face, no a girl, a girl with long brown curls and rosy colored cheeks. Somehow the figure Krum was drawing appeared to be familiar. Then he gasped, the soap slipped from his hand
"That's Hermione!"
******************
Hermione had not slept well, considering the fact that she had been thinking about Draco and Viktor all night. It was kind of disturbing but she tried not to think about it. Besides, she should be happy, Viktor is here now.
She went down to the Gryffindor common room and found Harry and Ron playing wizards' chess near the fire place.
"Good Morning' sleepy head!" Ron greeted her.
She tossed a stray strand of her hair away and greeted them back.
"Good morning too!"
Harry moved his knight on the board and hit a bishop, cutting its head off.
"We've been waiting for you. It's almost breakfast we better go!" he said standing up.
Ron frowned "wait a minute; I can't let you beat me here! Sit down and we'll finish this!" he ordered.
Hermione shot up her eyebrow at him. "
Ron we have to go! Or we'll be late for the first class"
Ron lazily stood up and joined them, sulkily stomping through the portrait hole. The two boys finished eating their breakfast earlier and excused their selves to go with their girlfriends. Ron went with Cho to Transfiguration classroom where her first class would take place and Harry walked Ginny to the dungeons to her potions class. Hermione however was left alone sitting in the Gryffindor table. Actually she was not alone, Parvati, Lavander and the others was sitting there too but they were too busy giggling at Krum who was sitting on the teachers table. He was wearing new velvet robes of silver and black. And he was particularly handsome as his hair was neatly kept and his face was shaved clean. She was staring at the blank space on the table and when she snapped back into reality and glanced at him again, he was gone. Hermione just shook her head and went back to her book (Advanced Transfiguration. book 5) suddenly a hand touched her shoulder, and made her jump. She accidentally threw her book on Seamus's porridge bowl.
"GAH!"
He shouted as the porridge splash at his face "Hermione!?" he shouted, glaring at her.
Hermione went scarlet.
"Oh! Seamus I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
She pointed her wand at him and said "claropaschio!" and the porridge was cleaned and the book came flying back at her. She looked back at Krum who was trying his best to contain his laughter.
"Viktor! You startled me!"
Krum whose laughter had subsided sat beside her.
"Sorry, I promise I won't do it again." Hermione closed her book and asked
"What are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be there t the teachers table?"
Krum gave her a small smile "Oh, I'm finished eating so I thought I'd ask if I could walk you into class."
Hermione shot up her eyebrow.
"But you don't need to because your subject is my next class"
Krum went red. "Exactly!" he said not letting Hermione notice but she saw it anyway. "I will walk you to your next class because, it's my class and I don't want you to be late."
Hermione agreed and they went out of the great hall together.
Malfoy had just finished eating his toast when he spotted Hermione and Viktor going out of the Great hall together. He almost fell on his seat at the sight.
"What? They're together now?"
He asked himself quietly. His feelings were really getting out of hand. He knew he had to put an end on this. They're first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. When he entered the room, Hermione was already there, as usual reading her book. He doubt that's the first thing she did when she entered with Viktor. He shuddered at the thought. All through out the day Hermione and Draco were avoiding each other. It wasn't that easy because everywhere he and Pansy goes, she's there too! If that wasn't enough, she's with Viktor too! It was so hard to avoid her. He was getting sick of seeing them together.
That night he was sitting in the common room reading the newest issue of witch weekly magazine, when Pansy approached him. "Hey baby! What's up?!"
She asked as she gingerly stroked his blonde hair. Draco turned to her and placed the magazine down.
"Nothing really, what's with you? Why aren't you asleep?"
"The girls and I were just talking a while ago about the Krum guy being our teacher. We all think he's too young" she said, sitting down. "Too bad he's so taken with Mudblood Granger"
Draco winced a little at her words. He didn't feel like hearing anything about Krum and Hermione right now.
"He's hot you know," she continued "But not as hot as you."
She said as she gave him a soft peck on the cheek. Draco smirked at her.
"Look Pansy, no ones hotter than me! I'm the best looking guy in school! Now go to sleep, I'm reading so don't bother me."
Pansy rolled her eyes "What ever Draco! You think you're so cool! Just because you're my boyfriend doesn't mean I won't look at other guys!" She spat.
"Then look at other guys! If that's what you want!" He took the witch weekly magazine and opened it again.
Pansy stood up, she looked outraged. "You can't speak to me like that Draco Malfoy!" she shouted.
"I just did! What, you're shouting at me now? What do you want a break-up?" Draco asked angrily.
Pansy backed away. She didn't expect Draco to say that. She approached him calmly and spoke in a soft voice.
"No, no, baby. That's not what I want. Sorry! I promise I'll never shout at you again."
She sat beside him and stroked her fingers across his face. "Look, I was just saying that Viktor Krum was too good for the Mudblood girl! I can't believe he chose her! Yuck! What a loser!" she said looking disgusted.
Draco felt his temper rising. It was as if he was hurt when Pansy talked about Hermione like that.
"What ever Pansy! Just go to sleep!" He stood up and went up at the Boy's Dormitory leaving Pansy sitting in the couch glaring at him.
Everyone was already asleep so he changed to his pyjamas and sat near the window. The moon was shining brightly and the stars were glimmering.
"Here I go again! Contemplating! Damn! Why can't I just be normal? Stop all these stupid feelings and get on with my miserable life! Damn it! Why can't I stop thinking about her? Why?"
He asked himself banging the palm of his hands on his temple.
"I've got to fight this feeling! I just have to!"
Draco's thoughts wandered back awhile ago. He knew he couldn't avoid her. He could, but it'll be difficult. He knew he shouldn't be affected. But he also knew he can't stop it. And now that he accepted the truth there's nothing he can do.
"Oh boy,"
He whispered as he approached his bed and lay down.
"This is gonna be one hell of a task! But I've just got to fight it! I will have to fight it, Even if it kills me!"
VIKTOR KRUM COMES TO HOGWARTS
Hermione spent the whole week trying her best to distract herself from the ill-thought of Draco and Pansy being together. She had tried her best to ignore them every time she would come across the two. It was really annoying her. She was dying to end the week to take a little break. When finally it was Friday, she waited rather impatiently for the classes to end; their last class is Defense against the Dark Arts.
She went there early with Harry and Ron so that she can get everything over with. They were busy comparing their essay assignments. It was supposed to be due 3 weeks ago but Professor Marsters was sick and haven't attended his class since. Luckily, they were just given seat works and home works, not substitute teachers, for it will surely be Snape.
"Ron," Hermione spoke. "You've written your essay in bold letters and you're still two inches short! And you too Harry." she turned to face him "four inches short? I'm surprised with you!"
Ron and Harry frowned slightly at her.
"Never mind that!" Ron said, rolling his eyes. "I mean, who cares anyway? Professor Marsters will probably not show up!"
Harry nodded "He's right you know! I bet he's still sick!"
Hermione glared at the two and shook her head. "I can't believe you two! I think professor Marsters will be here soon and the two of you will be in big trouble" She said
She was about to continue her nagging when Professor Mcgonagall entered.
"Attention everyone! I'm very sorry to tell you that Professor Marsters will still not be able to teach. He's still in critical condition and wishes to have a short vacation. However he left you Seat works and Home works to do, so please finish it. His substitute will come next week."
At that, everyone groaned. They heard Seamus talking to Dean.
"I hope it's not Snape!" he whispered.
"Me too! But I doubt it!"
Professor Mcgonagall interrupted them again.
"The seat works will be passed at exactly three o'clock. You still have twenty minutes to finish it! Now if you'll all excuse me, I have to go to the Faculty meeting. Please behave yourselves! I'll be back!"
And she went immediately out of the classroom.
"I told you!" Ron said with a look of triumph in his face.
Hermione just rolled her eyes "Whatever!" she whispered and went on concentrating in her book.
When the classes finally ended, Hermione joined Harry, Ron Ginny and Cho for dinner. They talked about a lot of stuff but no one mentioned the dance, as to not upset Hermione. Later that night, Hermione can't sleep, she wasn't really that sleepy, she wanted to relax, she wanted to have very relaxing bath. So she took Harry's cloak and headed for the prefects bathroom. She didn't want to go there again because she might run in to Malfoy like before, but she continued. Luckily she didn't find Malfoy in there. She dipped in the bath and relaxed. All the stuff that's been crowding in her mind slowly melted away. Maybe this was all she needed to do to calm her down. After few more minutes she finally rose out of the large bath and changed to her night dress. She put on Harry's cloak and quietly stormed out of the prefect's bathroom. She was almost half way through the stairs when Mrs. Norris showed up, followed by the voice of Mr. Filch.
"Anyone here my sweet?"
At that, she felt very nervous. She didn't want to lose house points and get detention. So, she hurriedly ran away from the stairs. She was running so fast that she didn't see where she was going, she was still wearing Harry's cloak when she bumped hard and fell right on top of someone.
Draco lied there unable to move something just knocked him down hard and was lying on top of him. (He was going to the kitchen to sneak some midnight snacks.) When he looked to see who was lying above him he was flabbergasted! Hermione's head was floating in front of him!
"What the hell!?" He whispered.
Hermione reached for the hem and pulled the cloak off. She was on top of him and was shocked to see him.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" she whispered.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
"I could ask the same question Granger! Don't you look at where you're going? I mean, honestly, you go running around with Potter's dumb cloak and you don't even try your best not to get caught!" He spat in a low annoying tone.
Hermione glared at him. "For your information Malfoy, I am not like you who strut around the corridor with blush-on girl and snog where ever they want without even thinking what the teachers would do if they catch you! At least I roam around at night when there is so little chance that people would see me, not like you who clearly don't care what people might say!"
"Oh yeah!?" said Draco.
With his fast reflexes rolled over on top of her and pinned her down the floor. He raised his eyebrow but put it down again, he looked at her, it was dark but he can see Hermione's pretty face. She looked at him and their eyes met. They were so close to each other that she could have sworn he would kiss her. It was a little dark but his gray eyes glittered. Draco was gazing intently at her, scrutinizing every part of her face. His gaze then fell on her lips. It was so red, so tempting. Hermione licked her lips in nervousness. Their faces were almost an inch close when suddenly they sensed a small piercing eye fixed on them. "Meow!"
It was Mrs. Norris. She finally went back to reality and stood up immediately away from Draco. She was breathing so hard. Without a word and back-glance, she ran away as fast as she could at the Girl's dorm. She didn't have the time to change anymore. Her head was too preoccupied with the thoughts of what just happened. It was so unnerving! Of all the people! Why does she always have to bump on Draco? He was the last Person she would want to bump into! But what took place awhile ago wasn't exactly the least thing she wanted. She knew, within her that there was something in the way they had looked at each other. But whatever it was, she knew she has to disregard it and forget it. It meant nothing. She pondered on the incident for a moment until she dozed off.
***********************
Saturday morning came. Hermione woke up late that morning with a disturbing headache. She realized that she slept with her hair wet last night. She pulled the curtain of her four-poster and saw Parvati fixing her bed.
"Oh! You're up! Ron and Harry were looking for you and they said someone wanted to see you. They also asked why you didn't show up for breakfast"
Hermione groaned "Oh. My head aches! Who's looking for me and where are they anyway?" She asked as she started fixing her bed.
"I dunno who, but they are at the Quidditch field, playing" Parvati said.
Hermione took a bath, took her Hogwarts. A History book and went down to the field without even taking her breakfast.
As she drew nearer to the field she saw two figures riding their broom up in the air. She saw that the other figure was red haired and thin, no doubt it's Ron. But when she looked at the other figure following him, it doesn't look anything like Harry. In fact, it wasn't Harry; it was someone else, someone familiar. She reached the field and saw Harry on the benches near the poles. She approached him and sat beside him.
"Hey Harry! Good morning! How come you're not flying? And who's that with Ron?"
She asked as she opened her book to read. But before Harry could answer, Ron was swooping down and the other figure followed him. Ron reached the ground and so did the figure.
"Good morning Hermione!" she heard Ron say.
"Good morning too Ron!" she answered back, with out looking at him. "Who's that, flying with you?" she asked.
"Hello Hermione! Nice to see you again!"
She heard a low familiar voice. She lifted her nose from her book, her mouth fell open. There in front of her was Viktor Krum. She was speechless at first. She didn't know what to say.
"Uhm-are you ok? Looks like you're stunned!" Viktor said, with a wide smile on his face.
"Oh-Uhm. hi Viktor! What are you doing here?! I thought you're already playing in the national league? And your English. it's more fluent now. You speak really clear!" Hermione finally blurted out.
"Yeah! I'm playing in the national league, but my parents told me that I should get real job. You know a paying one that can last until I grow old. I figured I can't play Quidditch forever. So, I thought I'd go here and teach Defense against the Dark Arts. And oh. about my English, I studied proper speaking for almost a year and I'm happy there was progress!"
He explained while smiling at her. She sat down, with a stunned look on her face.
"What? You're going to be our teacher? But how about Professor Marsters?"
She asked him. Viktor just laugh.
"Don't worry I'm just the substitute. Besides, Dumbledore thinks I'm fitted for the job!" he sat beside her. Harry and Ron however stood up and started flying again.
"I missed you a lot, you know! It's been quite a long time since I've seen you! And I must say, something's, never change. You're still beautiful! Actually you're even more beautiful now!" Viktor looked at her intently, his eyes were shining.
Hermione felt herself blush and whispered so softly.
"Thank you! You look great too!"
She smiled at him sweetly.
Draco and his teammates were heading for the Quidditch pitch for their weekly practice. As he steps in the field he immediately spotted Ron and Harry. Then he saw Hermione sitting in one of the benches talking to someone who looks oddly familiar.
He walked towards them to take a closer look and suddenly his jaw fell open.
"That's Krum! What's he doing here?" he asked Malcolm Baddock, the new Slytherin chaser.
"I don't know. maybe visiting Granger. He fancies him remember?"
Draco stopped at his tracks and accidentally dropped his broom at that remark.
His teammates eyed him curiously. Draco suddenly blushed.
"W-What?" he spat pretending not to be embarrassed.
Malcolm just flashed a wide grin (the kind that says I know what that's about) and muttered
"Nothing! Let's play!" and he turned rode his broom and kicked off to the air.
*****************
Hermione and Viktor spent the whole Saturday roaming around the palace and sharing each others stories. Viktor told her about his last days at Durmstrang and his days at the national league. She could clearly see he was happy that he's now here at Hogwarts.
"Why don't you teach at Durmstrang then?" Hermione asked him curiously. "I mean, it's not that I don't want you here, I just thought you would want to because you studied there."
Viktor just smiled. "Oh. that," he said "I was supposed to teach there, but there was no vacant subject to teach, there is one but who would want to teach History of Magic?" he laugh. "It's not really my specialty. So when I heard about the vacation of Professor Marsters, I thought it'll be a good idea to apply. And eventually, Professor Dumbledore accepted me. Well, enough about me, how about you?"
Hermione told her everything that's been happening to Hogwarts including all the things Malfoy did to her.
They went back to the castle and went to the Great Hall to eat dinner. Hermione sat in the Gryffindor table, together with her friends while Viktor sat next to Professor Dumbledore and the other teachers.
"Why didn't you tell me he was coming?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron. "I supposed you know about this a long time ago."
Ron and Harry smiled at her. "Not really a long time ago," Ron said "just last week."
Harry turned to Hermione "We didn't tell you because he wanted to surprise you!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh, I was surprised alright!"
After a few minutes the noise was broken by Dumbledore's voice.
"Everyone, may I have your attention please. I have a very important announcement to make. Since the absence of Professor Marsters, our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, we have been informed that students are getting bored with all the home works and seat works given to them, we decided to have a substitute teacher."
There were murmurings all around the hall. Malfoy, who wasn't focusing his attention, didn't look but listened at Dumbledore's words. He was drinking his pumpkin juice when suddenly, he heard Dumbledore speak again.
"Please give a hand for Mr. Viktor Krum!"
At that Draco accidentally spat the pumpkin juice at Goyle's face.
The whole Slytherin table was looking at him.
"What?!" he asked trying to hide the embarrassment.
His face went red. He was almost sweating and there was a very uneasy feeling in his tummy. He didn't like it. He thought he should not care anymore and he's with Pansy now. He can't be affected.
"Draco? You're looking pale, are you alright?"
Pansy's voice cracked through his thoughts. Draco took a deep breath and gave her a faint, nervous smile.
"I'm ok... no need to worry. You go ahead and eat. I'm not really hungry."
Pansy shrugged and continued eating.
Draco lied on his bed, staring blankly at its canopy. He knew that there was something wrong with him. "What's the big deal if that Krum stays here? I mean, what is it to me? Who cares?" he asked himself. His mind was running and he was thinking about what Krum and Hermione had been doing all day. He had never seen her look so happy ever since that day in the gardens, when she and her friends had a picnic. He even thought she was happier than ever.
"Argh..! This is stupid! What am I thinking?!" he asked himself as he covered his face with his hands and rubbed it vigorously.
He couldn't sleep. He tried closing his eyes but every time he does, the picture of Hermione and Krum always shows up!
"Damn! I hate this!" He didn't know if he would feel angry at himself or what ever it is he should feel. He knew he had to stop this immediately. He had never been so confused.
"No, this is just a fixation! Nothing more!"
He sigh as he felt himself calm down, and his mind drowning. A few minutes later, he drifted off to sleep.
*****************
Hermione was very happy today. Viktor Krum is here. She never told anyone but she really liked him. He was a good person, kind, handsome and popular. He was the typical dream guy of every girl. And now he's here and his feelings for Hermione hadn't change a bit. He still likes her and he's still hoping that she'll be his girl. She was happy because finally the help she needed came. She had been so confused about her feelings for Draco. She didn't even know if what she was feeling is what she thought it was. She didn't like the idea of her liking Malfoy.
"It was disgusting!" she thought. "Now Viktor is here, and he likes me! I like him too! End of story! No Malfoy!!!"
She muttered to herself as she was lying on her bed staring blankly at its canopy. She shook her head vigorously to shake of the thought of Draco. She closed her eyes and tried her best to fall asleep but every time she would the image of Draco smiling at her would show up.
"This is stupid!" she hissed at herself.
It was too much. She was really having a hard time sleeping until finally at two in the morning her eyes finally surrendered and she fell asleep.
********************
Next morning, Draco woke up feeling like he had been hit by a truck. He fixed his bed and hurriedly hit the showers. The water was so cold he felt numb. He was busy soaping when he had a glimpse of the field outside the castle. Over there he can see the rising sun and the calm and beautiful black lake. "The giant octopus must still be asleep." He thought.
As he was gazing through the whole grounds his eyes fell on the Quidditch pitch. He saw figure sitting on the bench near the broom storage room door and was painting the view of the Quidditch field. He leaned closely to the window to have a much closer glimpse and then his jaw feel open. Krum was painting the field. He watched him as he changed the paper and stated drawing something else. It was a little far so he couldn't really see what he was doing. Draco pulled his wand on the drawer of the mirror in the bathroom and pointed it to his eyes and said
"Katakana Mata!"
His eyes got wider and the view of Krum was getting larger as he tapped. Then after few more taps he can finally see a clearer view of what Krum was doing. He didn't have to care but it interested him. He saw Krum drawing a figure of a face, no a girl, a girl with long brown curls and rosy colored cheeks. Somehow the figure Krum was drawing appeared to be familiar. Then he gasped, the soap slipped from his hand
"That's Hermione!"
******************
Hermione had not slept well, considering the fact that she had been thinking about Draco and Viktor all night. It was kind of disturbing but she tried not to think about it. Besides, she should be happy, Viktor is here now.
She went down to the Gryffindor common room and found Harry and Ron playing wizards' chess near the fire place.
"Good Morning' sleepy head!" Ron greeted her.
She tossed a stray strand of her hair away and greeted them back.
"Good morning too!"
Harry moved his knight on the board and hit a bishop, cutting its head off.
"We've been waiting for you. It's almost breakfast we better go!" he said standing up.
Ron frowned "wait a minute; I can't let you beat me here! Sit down and we'll finish this!" he ordered.
Hermione shot up her eyebrow at him. "
Ron we have to go! Or we'll be late for the first class"
Ron lazily stood up and joined them, sulkily stomping through the portrait hole. The two boys finished eating their breakfast earlier and excused their selves to go with their girlfriends. Ron went with Cho to Transfiguration classroom where her first class would take place and Harry walked Ginny to the dungeons to her potions class. Hermione however was left alone sitting in the Gryffindor table. Actually she was not alone, Parvati, Lavander and the others was sitting there too but they were too busy giggling at Krum who was sitting on the teachers table. He was wearing new velvet robes of silver and black. And he was particularly handsome as his hair was neatly kept and his face was shaved clean. She was staring at the blank space on the table and when she snapped back into reality and glanced at him again, he was gone. Hermione just shook her head and went back to her book (Advanced Transfiguration. book 5) suddenly a hand touched her shoulder, and made her jump. She accidentally threw her book on Seamus's porridge bowl.
"GAH!"
He shouted as the porridge splash at his face "Hermione!?" he shouted, glaring at her.
Hermione went scarlet.
"Oh! Seamus I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
She pointed her wand at him and said "claropaschio!" and the porridge was cleaned and the book came flying back at her. She looked back at Krum who was trying his best to contain his laughter.
"Viktor! You startled me!"
Krum whose laughter had subsided sat beside her.
"Sorry, I promise I won't do it again." Hermione closed her book and asked
"What are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be there t the teachers table?"
Krum gave her a small smile "Oh, I'm finished eating so I thought I'd ask if I could walk you into class."
Hermione shot up her eyebrow.
"But you don't need to because your subject is my next class"
Krum went red. "Exactly!" he said not letting Hermione notice but she saw it anyway. "I will walk you to your next class because, it's my class and I don't want you to be late."
Hermione agreed and they went out of the great hall together.
Malfoy had just finished eating his toast when he spotted Hermione and Viktor going out of the Great hall together. He almost fell on his seat at the sight.
"What? They're together now?"
He asked himself quietly. His feelings were really getting out of hand. He knew he had to put an end on this. They're first class was Defense Against the Dark Arts. When he entered the room, Hermione was already there, as usual reading her book. He doubt that's the first thing she did when she entered with Viktor. He shuddered at the thought. All through out the day Hermione and Draco were avoiding each other. It wasn't that easy because everywhere he and Pansy goes, she's there too! If that wasn't enough, she's with Viktor too! It was so hard to avoid her. He was getting sick of seeing them together.
That night he was sitting in the common room reading the newest issue of witch weekly magazine, when Pansy approached him. "Hey baby! What's up?!"
She asked as she gingerly stroked his blonde hair. Draco turned to her and placed the magazine down.
"Nothing really, what's with you? Why aren't you asleep?"
"The girls and I were just talking a while ago about the Krum guy being our teacher. We all think he's too young" she said, sitting down. "Too bad he's so taken with Mudblood Granger"
Draco winced a little at her words. He didn't feel like hearing anything about Krum and Hermione right now.
"He's hot you know," she continued "But not as hot as you."
She said as she gave him a soft peck on the cheek. Draco smirked at her.
"Look Pansy, no ones hotter than me! I'm the best looking guy in school! Now go to sleep, I'm reading so don't bother me."
Pansy rolled her eyes "What ever Draco! You think you're so cool! Just because you're my boyfriend doesn't mean I won't look at other guys!" She spat.
"Then look at other guys! If that's what you want!" He took the witch weekly magazine and opened it again.
Pansy stood up, she looked outraged. "You can't speak to me like that Draco Malfoy!" she shouted.
"I just did! What, you're shouting at me now? What do you want a break-up?" Draco asked angrily.
Pansy backed away. She didn't expect Draco to say that. She approached him calmly and spoke in a soft voice.
"No, no, baby. That's not what I want. Sorry! I promise I'll never shout at you again."
She sat beside him and stroked her fingers across his face. "Look, I was just saying that Viktor Krum was too good for the Mudblood girl! I can't believe he chose her! Yuck! What a loser!" she said looking disgusted.
Draco felt his temper rising. It was as if he was hurt when Pansy talked about Hermione like that.
"What ever Pansy! Just go to sleep!" He stood up and went up at the Boy's Dormitory leaving Pansy sitting in the couch glaring at him.
Everyone was already asleep so he changed to his pyjamas and sat near the window. The moon was shining brightly and the stars were glimmering.
"Here I go again! Contemplating! Damn! Why can't I just be normal? Stop all these stupid feelings and get on with my miserable life! Damn it! Why can't I stop thinking about her? Why?"
He asked himself banging the palm of his hands on his temple.
"I've got to fight this feeling! I just have to!"
Draco's thoughts wandered back awhile ago. He knew he couldn't avoid her. He could, but it'll be difficult. He knew he shouldn't be affected. But he also knew he can't stop it. And now that he accepted the truth there's nothing he can do.
"Oh boy,"
He whispered as he approached his bed and lay down.
"This is gonna be one hell of a task! But I've just got to fight it! I will have to fight it, Even if it kills me!"