Note: Only a short while from something which should satisfy you fluff lovers! Though be warned, this is actually quite an angsty fic.
Danihell- thanks for the nice comments; your fanfic is great too! Please keep posting your opinion; it's good to know.
NewSecretRose- it's good to know I'm keeping you on the edge of your seat… and keep reading, I think you'll find out whether your predictions were right in this chapter!
Gazy- as you now know, Ron DID get her something else. Bless him, I feel really sorry for him. And as for that McGonagall thing, you're probably right that she wouldn't have sent it- thanks for the comments anyway!
Aquaprincess1- seems a bit weird me telling you now that you've read the chapter, but I'll explain nonetheless. Viktor is eighteen, and went to Durmstrang Magic School before he left last year. He is an excellent Quidditch Player for Bulgaria in the World Cup and no he's not really very cute- I suppose handsome in a hawkish way.
"Viktor?" Hermione said wonderingly, stepping forward to greet him. She could only stare in shock; it still hadn't gone in. He was the same as always; jet-black hair, a hook nose and sullen expression, but he was currently smiling widely . He beamed down at her, even taller than last time they met.
"Herm-own-ninny," Viktor said breathlessly. "I have vanted to see you long time. Same for you, yes?"
"Yes," she replied unsurely, still not believing her eyes. "But how did you get here? How is this possible?"
"I paid for him to get train tickets, Muggle way, down to the nearest station, then pay for the Knight Bus," Harry explained. "I sent him an owl with the tickets ready, and he agreed. Isn't it the best present ever?" He bounced around, his face boyishly eager, and Hermione realised she had to pretend to be grateful to avoid him getting hurt..
"Yes… thanks Harry," Hermione said weakly, though inside she felt confused. She didn't know how she felt about Viktor Krum anymore. At one time they had been going out- and Hermione had shared her first kiss, but it had all changed after the TriWizard Tournament and he went back to Durmstrang. Since then he had left and visited her once, but it had been brief- and since then Hermione hadn't spared one thought for him. She felt immediate guilt, especially as it was so clear that Krum had been desperate to see her.
"Ron!" it was Ginny; she flounced over with a couple of friends and began dancing nearby. Hermione glanced over to the end of the Hall, where the usual Head Table would be, and saw a large stage with Seamus Finnigan DJing. He was carefully mixing next to four huge thumping speakers reverberating music with a heavy beat, and all the people in the Hall were swaying along; many people Hermione recognised, but some she didn't, and in the flashing lights of the party everyone looked vivacious, sparkly and completely colourful compared to their boring everyday selves. Alongside the other wall a large table was spread with food and drink, but the room was dark with disco lights and magical glitter that festooned the air. "Ron, come dance!" Ginny coaxed. "Oh, hi Hermione! Great party!"
"Uh… thanks…" Hermione said, noticing Viktor was still staring at her.
"Ve need to talk," he said loudly, struggling to be heard over the deafening music. "Shall ve go outside?"
"Sure," Hermione agreed, and waved goodbye to Harry and Ron, who was glaring at Viktor. She just had time to see Ginny grab Harry and give him a kiss on the cheek before the door was shut and Viktor and Hermione were alone in the Entrance Hall.
"Herm-own-ninny, I missed you," he spoke in his thick accent. "Vat has you been doing these long months?"
"This and that," Hermione said vaguely.
"You are vary pretty," Krum said wryly, holding her hand and pulling her close. "A vary beautiful girl. I much care for you, I vanted to say this."
Hermione didn't struggle, but fear was in her eyes; she was going to have to hurt him, just like she did to Ron. "Viktor… a lot has changed," she mumbled, but he put a finger to her lips.
"Vat has changed? Nothing, nothing! I love you vary much, and you love me, no?"
"Well… you're a truly great friend." Hermione spoke truthfully and gently pulled away. Why does this keep happening to me, she though despairingly. Please don't let it hurt him too much..."But I don't feel as strongly anymore- probably because we haven't talked or anything for a long time."
"I vill make it up!" Viktor glared at her. "Is this that Potter? Do you love him? Or that Veasley, is it me you are forgetting?" In his anger, his English greatly faltered, and he forgot all the words Hermione had so carefully taught him. "Vot is this?" he roared, and grabbed her shoulders in a grip so tight it was reminiscent of Malfoy's behaviour. She shook free, her anger as strong as his at the mere memory..
"Keep your hands off me," she said coldly, swiftly turning around. "You know Harry and Ron are just friends- like you." Viktor snarled.
"I am going! This was worthless. You are fool!" He abruptly ran out of the school entrance and around the corner, leaving Hermione in shock. Her anger drained and she felt physically exhausted, but she still made her way back into the party- no longer was she in the spirit, but she couldn't let down all the people who went to so much trouble.
"Hermione, over here!" Harry called out, and she went over to her friend, trying to forget the look on Krum's face, and to not wonder where he'd gone. Ron was dancing nearby with an outstandingly attractive-looking Luna, looking very awkward indeed, whilst Ginny was draped around Harry and sighing happily. Nearby Dean was smooching with Parvati, and Lavender was dancing with Padma- everyone loved the music that Seamus was carefully choosing.
"Want to dance?" Harry asked offhandedly as Ginny whizzed off to go dance with Colin. Hermione fell into her friend's arms and closed her hips next to his, slowly swaying with the rhythm and trying not to collapse in his arms. "Like my gift?" he said into her ear.
"Yes, thanks," Hermione answered. She didn't feel up to explaining what had happened. After that dance, she began dancing with Ron, who seemed to have forgotten what had happened between them before- either that, or he was trying to forget. Drinks in neon coloured bottles were being passed around too, drinks that smelt strongly of Muggle alcohol (she was sure the Slytherins' contempt of Muggles didn't stretch to liquor); however, seeing as it was a special occasion, she didn't have the heart to explain that alcohol was banned on the premises of Hogwarts. In fact, she managed to down several of them very quickly whilst dancing with Ron, who was also swigging away.
"Look who's just arrived!" Padma snorted nearby, and Hermione looked over to the doorway, to see some Slytherins smugly glancing around them. Blaise Zabini, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, Crabbe and Goyle were milling around behind Draco who seemed to be looking for someone. He caught eye contact with Hermione; time seemed to freeze for a second and electric sizzled between them. Then Hermione looked away, unable to bear it, and turned to Ron, hugging him tightly. Taking another gulp of something Lavender passed her (she didn't even bother looking what it was anymore), she closed her eyes, trying to block out the somewhat disturbing-yet-arousing image of Malfoy.
Ron blushed slightly, and slowly put his arms around her. "Bummer that they've arrived, isn't it?" he said.
"Uh-huh," Hermione said, hiding her face against him.
The next couple of hours whizzed by, with Hermione dancing with pretty much everyone and anyone. The alcohol, Dean Thomas explained to her, had been smuggled in by himself a few hours earlier, and everyone seemed to be getting slightly tipsy on it. Hermione lost count of how many people she saw throwing up towards the end of it, and outrageous behaviour was a regular occurrence in the later hours. It took several people to restrain Luna from her fervent desire to lap dance on the tables, and she wasn't the only one whose behaviour had been altered- Hermione found herself doing and saying things she didn't usually say, but it wasn't so dramatic as Luna, and it felt quite good. She enjoyed the relaxed, carefree emotion she was experiencing and tried not to worry about consequences- after all, you weren't seventeen everyday, were you?
"Urgh," Ginny commented, wrinkling up her nose at the sight of Millicent Bulstrode emptying her guts nearby. Ginny looked pretty in a green skirt and black top, with little beads in her long silky red hair. She danced with Hermione a lot, being one of her closest friends. Hermione stayed with her most of the time and whenever she sneaked furtive glances at Malfoy, he was dancing with Pansy Parkinson, who had obviously decided to plaster on the make-up and resembled a doll.
"Hermione, I want to give you your present," Ron said beseechingly.
"Later," she yawned. "Give me it tomorrow Ron, sorry, I'm far too tired."
The party carried on, yet nobody showed any sign of stopping except Hermione. She was getting absolutely exhausted, and felt like dropping onto the floor; her head was nodding and her eyes were so heavy they thought she was about to collapse on her feet. She was just heading for the door to go upstairs when-
"So," came a voice, and Hermione turned to see Draco casually leaning against his wall. He too was looking smart, but in such a way that it almost looked like he hadn't bothered. White, muscled arms were revealed in a thin black shirt, unbuttoned enough to reveal a straining torso- Hermione what are you thinking? She clasped a hand to her forehead, but it did nothing to halt her whirring, unwholesome thoughts. "The party's really buzzing isn't it?" She shook herself at the sound of his voice, which was slightly slurred; he sounded like he'd had a good drink, but wasn't off his head.. after all, how often was it he spoke to her without calling her a Mudblood at least once?
"Yeah, I guess," Hermione said. "I'm going anyway, see you later."
"Not so fast." He walked over and faced her, his icy eyes like chilling pools of water inches away from her own. Hermione breathed deeply as he smiled and leaned closer. She felt the heat rise and she pulled herself closer in on him, and didn't resist when he clasped her hand into his and enveloped his fingers in it. She involuntarily shivered at the touch and felt herself go weak in his arms, but not from tiredness.
He's holding my hand, she realised dimly. And I'm not pushing him away...
"Come on," he whispered and slowly walked towards the door with her, a knowing smile on his face.
And meanwhile, watching them go, Ron Weasley stood with contempt and hatred etched into his every feature.
"You coming Ron?" Harry called. Ron nodded bitterly, and as he walked away he threw Hermione's present onto the floor. It was something sparkly, something beautiful, something round, promising vows of love- a ring.
Aaah I just love the next chapter, and I'm sure you can imagine what it contains... well, nothing too bad, as it's only PG13. Hit that review button! :D
