Disclaimer: Book characters belong to J.K Rowling. Don't think she'd ever write them the way I do….
A/N Big thanks to reviewers! You're inspiring me! No, tarz, Harry isn't Viktor's date. You'll just have to wait and see! ;)
When I say that I saw his date, I mean that I recognised the back of his head (as many girls would) and realised his arm was around someone of the feminine persuasion, but I couldn't tell who she was from behind except that she had a petite (and very good!) body. I couldn't believe it. No wonder he didn't reply to my owl last night, didn't want to reveal his mystery girlfriend. It was charming to see how quickly he had gotten over me – they seemed pretty 'together' from the body contact. Not only does he not bother to tell me about the job at Durmstrang, he doesn't have the nerve to tell me about his new (or was she new? Maybe he'd been seeing her the whole time!) girlfriend. I was just about to storm over there and 'politely introduce' myself when I heard someone calling my name.
"Hermione! Ron!" It was Harry, looking very smart in black dress robes, with Fleur on his arm looking gorgeous and only slightly less snooty and bored than the first time I'd set eyes on her. Was it something about the French or just this girl? Harry certainly seemed happy to have her, in a glamorous dress of shimmering ice blue and with shining silver hair, as his date. As we approached, the seemed to give me an appraising look. Okay, awkward much?
"Hello" I said with a smile, trying to be polite. Ron, at my side, greeted them and there were a few seconds of hellos. Fleur turned her attention to me.
" 'Ermione, you chose a dress also. Zis is ze first time 'ou show style, since ze last ball" she said with a smile, like she had been paying me a compliment or something. I glared fiercely at her and Harry took charge.
"Yes, Hermione does look very pretty tonight" he said with a grin, Ron's hands found their way around my waist and my glare turned to him. I did the only thing a girl could do in the situation-
"I'm to go and get some punch" I announced, and stalked away. I did not want to deal with a girl who had just learnt my name, only to associate it with a girl who was daggy at all times except dances, nor did I want to deal with this bizarre triangle where Ron got possessive as soon as Harry paid me a compliment. People were just too weird sometimes.
As I sipped punch,I once again spotted the rear of Viktor and his dark-haired partner. They seemed to lean in towards each other so naturally as they talked to Professor Flitwick, who was decked out in a ridiculous set of tartan robes. I'd hate to think of how a conversation between he and Fleur would turn out…Ron appeared at my shoulder.
"Hermione, you alright?"
"Yes, why?"
"You've just drank five cups of punch, I've been keeping track. Did you leave because of what Fleur said, or me?" he asked with a concerned look.
"Just keep your hands to yourself, Weasley" I muttered as I followed him to where Harry and Fleur had been joined by Dean, Lavender, Seamus and Parvati. The boys had gone for the 'top hat and tails' look, Dean in white and Seamus in black. Joining in on the fun, Lavender was in robes of black satin and Parvati in white, so each was the opposite of their partner. It created a striking effect, although it seemed that Fleur didn't know what to make of them. As if she didn't already grab enough attention, if anyone were to look at our group they would find Fleur to be the only one wearing an actual colour. I chose to ignore her and instead complimented the four on their outfits, which they soaked up. In a noisy moment when Fleur was actually being sociable enough to talk to Ron, I felt Harry's hand on my elbow and him pulling me slightly away from the group.
"You're wearing the necklace I bought you," he said in a hushed tone.
"Yeah, I am. Goes with my outfit, don'tcha think?" I said with an air of nonchalance.
"Does that mean you forgive me? You were obviously mad about what I said the other night," he said, with a twinkle in his eye.
"I do, on one condition," I said seriously.
"What's that?"
"From this moment on, be completely honest with me"
His smile faded a bit.
"Okay" he said, but didn't continue as I'd hoped he would. He simply led us to rejoin the group, where Ron seemed to be making puppy dog eyes at Fleur. Or perhaps he only resembled a dog because of the stream of drool coming out of his mouth?
At that moment, the band, which had appeared without our notice (or perhaps had just Apparated), began playing a waltz. Ron smiled and took my hand, and we began dancing. It was quite fun, and when the song ended, everyone turned to the front of the Hall to clap the band. I spotted Viktor's head a few people away, so I grabbed Ron's hand and made my way over. Harry, near us, followed with Fleur. I tapped Viktor on the shoulder.
"Hi!" I said warmly. No need to be impolite. His date was still turned around, but he grabbed her hand so she turned around.
"Hello Hermione. Allow me to introduce my date, Cho. Have you two met before?"
I believe he said this because of the way we were ferociously staring at each other.
"Oh yes, I know more about Cho than she thinks" I said through gritted teeth.
Harry appeared to be in a state of shock/horror.
"Cho, you said "some guy" asked you!" Harry said, on the verge of shouting.
"Yes, Viktor did" she said in a calm, patronising tone.
"You said he was in sixth year!"
"Oh, did I? Silly me" she said, adding an infuriating little laugh.
Viktor seemed oblivious to everything, the idiot. He was in deep conversation with Fleur.
"I didn't know you had a boyfriend" Harry said, very alarmed.
"Oh, Viktor is hardly my boyfriend" she stated in a confidential tone.
"Yes he is!" I interrupted, "I heard you! You were in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, talking to your two friends, about how your boyfriend "wasn't here" and how you were going to reap rewards from Harry!" There we go. Told. Cho looked mortified.
"Harry! Do you believe this? I would never say such a thing! She's just making it up because she's jealous that I'm here with Viktor! Do you really think I'd do that to you?"
"Uh, um, err…" was Harry's very articulate response.
"Well, out with it! Do you believe me or her?" She was looking very desperate at this stage, though defiant to the last. Harry rose up.
"Actually, I believe Hermione"
A/N Aww, isn't Harry a good little boy, standing up to Cho? Give us a review and tell us what you think!