Chapter 13

A/N- Hey doodz. Thanks for all the reviews for chapter 12... -e-hugs and cookies for all- I'll attempt at making this chapter longer, but I can't promise anything now... so sorry.

Well, here's a new chapter- guess who shows up? Anyhow, enjoy yourselves.

Hermione was sitting cross-legged on her bed. It was Wednesday evening, two more days until the dance. Out of the blue, there was an unexpected tapping on Hermione's window. The bushy haired girl glanced up from her Charms essay and saw a grey eagle owl hovering at her window. Hermione quickly recognized it as the Krum family owl. Puzzled, Hermione threw open her window and let the owl in. It was holding one letter. The owl flew around the room once, dropped a letter on Hermione's bed, hooted and took off out the window in another direction.

Hermione walked to her bed and picked up the letter from Viktor. Her name was on the front of the letter. Hermione felt a little anxious and she was oddly cautious as she lifted the navy seal on the letter.

Dear Hermione,

How are you? I hope you are doing well, like I am. Quidditch is brilliant, as you English say.

You're probably wondering why I wrote to you after a few months of silence on my part. I am very sorry that I didn't write sooner, I hope you forgive me. Anyway, your dear Headmaster had written to me and informed me of a Ball at your school. He had invited me as a special guest, as I had not been to the school in quite a while. Professor Dumbledore also mentioned that I bring a date and I am wondering if you would like to accompany me that evening. If you already have a date, I understand. I know we broke up, but I was hoping that we could go together. Don't bother writing back, as the letter will not be able to reach me in time. If you agree to come with me, please meet me in the library at five-thirty. See you at the Ball.

Always,

Viktor Krum.

Hermione could not believe what she was reading. Viktor was coming to here, to Hogwarts? And he was asking me, of all people, to the Ball? Well, technically, you don't have a date. All you have to do is meet Harry on the balcony. I'm sure Viktor won't mind and will be able to find something to do while I'm with Harry, anyway. I'll just tell him that I promised someone that I would meet them.

Hermione thought about it and decided that she would go with Viktor, but only as friends. She didn't want more of a relationship with him and he probably didn't want to go as more than friends anyway. She figured that he would understand that she would have to leave for a few minutes. Hermione sighed. She pictured herself dancing with Viktor at the dance, having a good time. Mysteriously, she remembered her dream from a few nights ago...

She was dancing with Harry. They both were visibly having a good time... Harry was whispering something in her ear, and she was laughing at whatever it was he said. And then Viktor, or who she thinks is Viktor, showed up and it all changed. Harry let go, and Viktor took his spot.

Hermione was puzzled at her dream. She tried to analyze it, but the only thing she came up with was the thought of her dream being prophetic and telling what would happen at the Ball.

Was it telling the future? Would Viktor somehow come between Harry and me? Was Viktor harbouring feelings for me after all these years? No, he couldn't have been. Our break up was purely mutual. We realized that we didn't have enough time to be in a relationship and we were unable to see each other often enough for it to be called a relationship...

Hermione shook her head and cleared all her thoughts. She went back to her Charms essay but she was still subconsciously thinking about her dream and what would become of it if it were actually trying to tell her something. She thought nothing of it and feverishly wrote out her homework.

It was Friday. There was a buzz of constant chatter around the school and many teachers had trouble keeping their students in line. The second- and first-year students were in pandemonium since they were not allowed to attend. They were allowed to have their own small parties in their common rooms, though. The rest of the students who were old enough to attend the Ball that evening were unable to stop their babble about what they were going to wear, who they were going with, what they planned on doing, etc.

The teachers were quite exasperated. By lunch, McGonagall's usual deathly tight bun at the back of her head was untwisting and becoming very frazzled, as was her sanity. Snape's hair was even more flattened out than usual and rumour had it that Professor Flitwick had had a mental breakdown in front of his last class and had blubbered like a baby.

It was obvious that they were very put-out, robes were limp and faces were sickly pale. Dumbledore, however, was merry and pleased. He had heard all about Ron's jig and he had asked an exuberant Ron to teach it to him and the entire school at the Ball.

During lunch, Dumbledore tapped his goblet with his fork and said, "As you are all aware, the Ball is scheduled for this evening. What I have not told you is that Viktor Krum, whom I am sure you all know, is attending tonight's festivities. I wish for you to treat him with the utmost respect that you would use to treat any other guest, famous or not,"

There was a mixture of discontented and delighted sounds coming from the students. The younger students were very disappointed but the others were quite eager, even the older students, who had seen him before at the tournament three years earlier. Dumbledore waited for the talking to quiet down and he continued, "He has requested that no one fawn over him like he was royalty. He would like to be treated like you would treat any other individual, so please respect his desires. I would also like to announce that your entertainment for tonight will be songstress Celestina Warbeck. I am sure you are familiar with her,"

The crowd once again began to talk and Dumbledore smiled patiently as he waited for the students to calm down once again.

"I am also happy to announce that the teachers have decided to let class out early today as they are all very tense. They would like some time to recover in order for them to be able to complete their late night duties this evening. Please take this time to get ready or do whatever you like until this evening. Oh, one last message. I am happy to announce that our very own Ron Weasley will also be holding a little dance lesson for us tonight. I hope you're as eager as I am to learn. I hear it's quite the jig,"

At this, Ginny groaned and buried her head in her arms. Ron was blushing furiously at the attention as everyone in the Great Hall, including a few select Slytherins, were laughing and cheering him on. Dumbledore said one last thing, "Please finish up your lunches and head to your common rooms." And everyone continued their eating.

The clatter of forks and spoons against plates were heard once again as the school was finishing their lunch. The loud hum returned as all the students began talking all at once about their plans.

A/N 2- Another chapter finished. I was going to add on to this, but I decided that it would be better in my next chapter. Look out for it soon.

I know this chapter is unbelievably short, but like I said, I wasn't promising anything. Don't get your hopes up when I promise longer chapters. I just can't do them. I was actually not planning on writing this tonight but since I'm going to my cottage this weekend, I decided to make your wait a little less long.

I hope you people liked this chapter... REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!