The air around Hogwarts was now frosty and cool, warmth breathing from the lanterns and torches that filled each hall, as well as the spirits of the students. Today was an especially upbeat day, as the older students were ushered into seperate rooms away from their classes to congregate amongst their respective houses. Professor Mcgonagall stood in the centre of her Transfiguration classroom, all Gryfindoors from fourth year to seventh sitting in benches with the girls at one side and the boys at another. Hermione sat directly across from Harry and Ron, who appeared confused and weary. This didn't surprise their friend, as she expected them to be blissfully unaware of the schools happenings. Hermione, however, knew that this would be ballroom practice. Despite this knowledge, she still managed to feel uncomfortable- pushing down her internal will to look over at Fred.
It had been a fortnight since their revelation in the prefects bathroom and they were, as far as anyone else was concerned, completely fine. They still spoke and laughed, however they also tried to avoid spending time alone with each other. On one occasion during a group study with Harry, he had left to go to the bathroom leaving the two all alone for the first time. The conversation from that point managed to only cover the different uses for transfiguration, which neither of them seemed too enthused to talk about anyways.
Frankly the only inconvenience in anyones life these days was Rita Skeeter and the Daily Prophet. She had done interviews on the champions and had made up various rumours, one of which revealing that Hermione wasn't a pureblood wizard, which resulted in a furious outburst on the witches part. There were relationship rumours and cheating rumours and even an accusation of illegal potion use by Viktor Krum, that was debunked out by the officials, resulting in an apology from the paper. And so while they were seemingly fine, deep down Hermione knew that they weren't. They knew each others biggest secrets and truest feelings, and were forced to act completely platonic at all costs. So being there, Mcgonagall explaining the intimacy of dance, and knowing that they would have to find partners- Hermione was obviously quite on edge.
"-Now students: join in," Mcgonagall said as she danced with Ron- an interaction that had completely gone past Hermione's notice. The girls of her house rose eagerly and walked across to find partners with their peers, Hermione and a few others the only to stay back, her head lowered.
"May I have this dance?" a familiar voice asked. She looked up to find the face of the boy she had wanted to avoid- only to realise it wasn't him.
"Oh. Sure, George," she replied, taking his hand and joining him to the floor. She eventually spotted Fred dancing with Angelina Johnson, but not in a waltz, instead like they were at a party laughing as they did so.
"I feel like for all the time you and Fred spend together, we don't really talk," George stated, attempting to dance but their lack of chemistry and height difference proving difficult.
"Don't take it personal, it's just I've been helping him with the tournament- you're plenty fun too," Hermione said, hoping this would be the end of it.
"He told me about you two," George replied flatly. "I mean I kind of already knew. Never shuts up about you… Very annoying for me as I think there are far more important things going on in our lives, no offence."
Hermione's cheeks went red and the two swayed past Mcgonagall who seemed to be holding Ron hostage.
"I don't know if thats your business," Hermione said in her matter-of-factly tone, receiving a light laugh from George.
"Oh it's certainly not. It may be annoying but I still couldn't care less, again no offence. I'm just trying to good by you both right now," this received a raised eyebrow from Hermione, stumbling over her partners feet as she did so. "He's going to ask you to the ball I'm quite sure. But if you're as smart as you look you'd know that this isn't exactly the best thing for the two of you. I'm not too sure if you heard but there was recently a story about dad and a slow case he's been following thats been criticised. Usually these things aren't a big deal, but since Freds hit the limelight so to speak, our family has been under an uncomfortable microscope."
"I get what you're saying. And I agree, I don't want to cause your family any grievances. I'll try and find another date as soon as possible," Hermione said curtly.
"It's funny, Granger," George said. "We were so excited to enter the tournament, but the hardest part really has been the press. Kind of makes it not worth it I think."
Hermione knew exactly what George was saying and agreed. There was no glory or excitement for Fred anymore- there wasn't even that much fun. Because for as cheeky as the twins could be, they were deadly loyal to their parents and knew that in these circumstances, being themselves wasn't the right thing to do. It was sad, but maybe it's what happens to everyone.
"I think I know what you're thinking," George said, spinning Hermione around rapidly. "We may be glum for the moment but as soon as Skeeter shuts her pie hole the Weasely twins will be back in business. And maybe Fred can stop being a sook over you, too."
The practice class eventually came to a halt and Hermione rejoined her friends, who mainly talked about Mcgonagall having it out for Ron, Hermione stating that if he payed closer attention in her classes she wouldn't. The three then moving on to talk about potential dates, which was unsurprisingly awkward as nobody really wanted to admit their affections publicly. That was just the kind of friendship they had though- they were good at adventures and discussing riddles and conspiracies- not romance. However, Hermione had some sneaking suspicions that Lavender Brown and Cho Chang would be the ones they'd want to ask. The three eventually found their way to the next class, putting the ball behind them completely.
It was now only a Sunday, a few days before the Christmas and the Yule Ball and neither Hermione nor her friends had found dates. She was sitting alone in the library studying as she pondered this. She didn't want to go alone at all, but she was also afraid of being asked by Fred. It wasn't like Harry or Ron could ask her either because it would have added to the controversy- Seamus was taking Dean of course, and surprisingly Neville was taking Ginny. It hurt Hermione very silently that Neville hadn't asked her because they were friends, but she didn't dwell on it too much.
"Her..Mione?" a strong voice asked. Hermione looked up from her parchment to face Viktor. "May I sit here?" he asked, to which she agreed. She had only spoke to him once since the first task when he came up to her to see if she could take him to the European history section, where he admitted that there is a lot they don't learn at his school about history, before shutting up quickly.
"How are you, Viktor?" Hermione asked sweetly. She liked Viktor, as he was polite and silent- however she couldn't help being intimidated by him.
"I am good," he replied sharply. "I wanted to ask you… If you would like to accompany me to the Yule Ball?" he sounded very hesitant, his voice breaking like a young boys unlike his usual manly stature. Hermione was for obvious reasons surprised by this, which was followed by panic. She had dealt with a lot dealing with the press over Harry and Fred- to throw a third champion into the mix would be suicide to her reputation.
"I'm very flattered. But I don't think I can do that," she said. "The paper has already given me so much trouble, it's too much to deal with. I wish I could, I'm really sorry."
Viktor only smiled in return. "If you go with me the news paper will say not one bad thing about you," he sounded very convincing, and Hermione wondered if this had to do with the cheating accusation they had made about him. "They don't talk about me anymore, which is good."
Hermione still felt hesitant, but had no real way of saying no. "Well… Are you sure? I don't want my friends to get in trouble either,"
"It's okay. They don't talk about me, so they won't talk about you. No reason to talk about Mr Potter or Mr Weasely," his voice came off very strongly, rolling the R on Potter.
"Well in that case… Okay. I'll go with you," Hermione replied with a smile. She didn't want to go with him, but Viktor was nice and nobody else had asked her. Frankly at this point she just hoped that it wouldn't get her into more trouble.
Viktor ended up joining Hermione. The two not speaking any more as they read in complete silence. She hadn't realised that he was very studious, but also noticed that he only read books on the history of Bulgaria. She wondered if some books were restricted in his school, and for what reason- but decided it was both unimportant and also something she wasn't likely to get an answer for. Time eventually came for dinner and the two walked together to the great hall, parting ways and agreeing to meet again on Christmas Eve to sort their plans.
"What did Krum want?" Harry asked as Hermione sat in between him and Ron.
"Oh… Just things," Hermione replied, not wanting to tell them then that they were going together. "Did you two manage to find dates?"
"Well Ron did… Sort of," Harry responded, the two turning to face their friend who was confusedly looking at the food. "Tell 'Mione what happened." Harry said with a cheeky grin.
"Stupid Luna Lovegood," Ron started in a pitiful tone. "I mean I did want to ask her, but shes just so… I dunno. She turns to me, right, and she goes like 'if you want to ask me to the ball just ask, but you look quite silly standing there', in front of Ginny and a bunch of the other third years." he put a soft high pitched voice on when imitating her, before slumping back to his previous position. Hermione did like Luna, despite thinking she could be quite eccentric, but wouldn't have expected Ron to want to ask her out- or end up asking her at all.
"Well at least you have a date," Hermione replied brightly. 'At the cost of my dignity' is what she though she heard being mumbled by Ron, choosing to ignore his attitude. "What about you Harry?"
"Oh…" Harry said, his nose brightening slightly "Nobody yet."
"Cho's going with Cedric Diggory, unsurprisingly," Ron piped. "And what about you? Fred ask you yet?"
"Um… No, I'm going with someone else," both Harry and Ron jolted up at this, looking at each other and then their friends. "It'd be too controversial, so I'm going with Viktor."