Grandma min had taken Harry and Hermione to get their robes and dress for the ball that next Saturday a week before the ball harry had gotten some lovely silk black dress robes while Hermione had picked out a lovely periwinkle blue dress with rigged edges all down the skirt line. it was beautiful. the week had gone on like normal with classes and talk of the ball last minute dates finally the Friday of the ball rolled around classes had been canceled for the day to give everyone time to prep and get ready. The castle was buzzing with excitement Harry and Ron headed downstairs where they met up with the Patil twins when his gran came over "there you are Harry are you and miss Patil ready ?"
"Ready ma'am ?"
"To dance is a time-honored tradition for the Triwizard Champions to dance with their dates surely I told you that ?" Harry shook his head 'no he had definitely not been told that .'
"Oh well, now you know Mr. Weasley and miss Patil may proceed into the great hall with the other students ." with that Minerva went to do something else "Woah, " pravarti said, "she looks beautiful ."
"Yeah she does, " Harry said looking at Cho Chang but soon turned when he realized she was looking up the stairs he watched as his cousin walked down the stairs and over to Viktor.
The champions danced first as the first song played and then the rest of the school was able to join Hermione watched as her grandparents danced and everyone seemed to have fun. She spent most of the night dancing and talking with Viktor it was as corny as it might seem. After the last of the smashing pumpkin, songs played she went over to Harry and Ron who were sitting by one of the tables. "Viktors went to get drinks to care to join us"
"no we don't want to join you and victor you're fraternizing with the enemy "
"The enemy! Who was it wanting his autograph? Besides, the tournament is about making friends!"
"I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind ."
Hermione left because she felt almost betrayed. Ron was supposed to be her friend but he certainly wasn't acting like it and Harry should have stuck up for her but he just sat there dopey.
But she couldn't find Viktor she was about to head out when Ron started walking with her . "he's using you ."
"Is that what you think then ?"
"Yeah, that's what I think!"
"Then you know the solution don't you ?"
"What ?"
"Next time there's a ball pluck up the courage to ask me before someone else does and not as a last resort ."
Harry walked in "hey what's going on "
"OH NOW, YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING why don't both of you just go!"
"God Harry, they get scary when they get older ."
"RON you spoiled everything ." Hermione ran away from the ball and up to the astronomy tower where she and Harry had private lessons with her father the year before she missed that she took her heels off they were killing her feet and then simply sat and sobbed it wasn't fair she just wanted one night where no one really expected anything of her and she could have fun but her date bailed on her and her friend was being a jerk. and ….she missed her dad he should be here to comfort her and tell her that boys are stupid. She heard the door open and turned back to see "Viktor "
"Hermione you are crying why? " the two talked, She didn't know how long they sat up there crying and talking but she did notice when the sunshine streamed in she opened her eyes looking around oh shit she had fallen asleep, oh God Viktor was sleeping next to her, she was going to be in so much trouble she had started to leave when Viktor woke up
"Hermione oh it's the morning "
Hermione closed her eyes. This was bad, this was so bad "ok Viktor what are you going to say to the professors when they ask what happened " you were in the tower I found you we talk and fall asleep ."
"Okay I'm going to leave first and you follow after a bit " Viktor nodded. She got up and grabbed her shoes opening the door only to come face to face with the headmaster and headmistress.
"I can explain " Hermione whispered as Viktor came up behind her.
"Oh trust me young lady you will explain everything Mr. Krum your headmaster will deal with you Albus can lead you there as for you young lady to my office please ."
"But we literally didn't do anything we just fell asleep togeth- I'm gonna stop talking ."
Hermione walked with her grandmother to her office. When she opened the door she saw her Uncle standing there she went in and sat down on the couch there.
"You want to explain where you went off to some of us who have been looking for you all night ."
"I just got upset about something and l left the ball, and Viktor found me and we fell asleep talking, but I swear we didn't do anything! " Minerva pursed her lips, staring her granddaughter down . "fine but you still should have gone straight to your dorm or back to the ball. There is a serial killer after you and Harry Hermione. Did you not think that we are all trying to keep the two of you safe !" Hermione felt more tears flow down her cheek as her grandmother spoke "I'm sorry gram I really am "
"I know dear well as it stands we're not heading to the cottage for the holidays so get yourself cleaned up and comfortable. You and Harry are staying with Severus. He will be expecting you within the hour do you understand ?"
Hermione nodded and was dismissed.
