Author's Note:
Just a little fluffy chapter here before we get into the First Task.
Reviews and Comments: To Steelcode: It was nice of McGonagall to give Harry points for helping out Cedric. She's a good woman. Thanks for saying I'm on fire! To EnchantedLynx: Thanks for loving my styling choices for Ginny! It brought me back! Thank you! To alix33: Scout is just Tonks' name for him. Thank you! To Menna Taha: Thank you! I think because Zee came to Harry late in life, he's not about shying away from her affection. He loves it. I love showing Harry having adults who care about him unconditionally! Our boy deserves it! Ginny is oblivious and Harry doesn't find out about her date, he finds out a different way as you will see, but not for a bit as he clearly has other things on his mind. As to Hermione being a teenage girl, I agree read below! Thank you! To Harry ginny 90: Thank you! Ginny should definitely have a boyfriend before Harry, I agree. Thank you! To iKingAnomalyII: I know, slow burning Hinny. I agree, I don't want to throw them together too early! Thanks for rereading my Beginning Series, you're too sweet! I definitely think I've become a much better writer since I wrote that when I was a teenager. Thank you!
To Guest: I am sorry to hear that. But sadly, this is pretty normal for that age. Thanks for your opinion. To pottermum: Thanks for reading! I'm so honoured! I hope it is epic! To speedsONEandONLY: Absolutely! Thanks for the comments on the 90s clothes, it was fun. Ah, butterfly clips, I had so many of those lol! Sparkly ones, light-up ones, neon ones, bubble ones lol. LOL, does Sirius really want to die on this hill? He's just being stubborn. He will get a telephone! Thank you! To PolarWriter95: Thank you! I enjoyed Tonks carrying Puppy Harry around myself. I really enjoy writing Theo and I feel like he is that kind of cheeky bastard, at least in my mind he is. I find I am writing him like a friend of mine and it makes me smile lol. Thank you! To love reading20613: Thank you! We won't find out Harry's reaction right away, but I'm excited too! To Pilar: Aww, it's sweet that you're shipping Colin and Theo! I am sorry to say, that will not happen. Thank you! To TheMMMG: Thank you! I love providing the 90s details!
To smallwji: I'm sorry the wait is killing you. I think I am uploading at a very reasonable pace, but I love knowing it's because you're enjoying it so much you're impatient. Thank you! To scrappy8: Thank you! To Leaf Ranger: Theo is just fun and wants Ginny to know she's beautiful. I love making him cheeky, he's modelled after a friend of mine from work. To Blaze1313: Love the reference to Santa's Little Helper from the Simpsons, but Scout is a Tamaskan while Santa's Little Helper is a Greyhound, completely different dogs! Thank you! To TheRealTonks: Thank you! You think Ginny will be who Harry will solely miss in the second task? We shall have to see. Yes, it is a slow burn. To DiaryWork101: Thank you! To trekkifulron: I loved chokers! I wore one every day! Thank you! To Moony The Sheep: Yes, girls showed a lot of skin in the 90s. The fashion was weird. Thank you! To ladyinwaiting2005: No, sorry, I don't have a Pinterest. I do have a Tumblr I don't really use. I suppose I could post them there if anyone was interested? To xXMizz Alec VolturiXx: Thank you! It was fun!
To Guest: Thank you! To Guest: Thank you! To Guest: Ginny's date will be great! Thank you! To coloredwords: Sirius and Zee moving in together will be fun! I agree, Ginny having her first boyfriend in Michael is a good choice! Thank you! To ClarieRoss: Ha, thanks for refreshing every 5 minutes in hopes of an update! But I do have a posting schedule I stick to. Thank you! To darkhk: Thank you! To HinnyMe: Thank you! I'm glad you loved so much of the chapter. As to Michael sounding charming and you not liking him already, that made me laugh. Thank you! To Wolf's scream: Harry is definitely shocked by the dragons and more afraid than I think he realizes. Thank you!
To Jmcglynn522: I love that you said you don't like Michael. "He (isn't Harry) seems kinda like an ass." Ha, real subtle there! Thank you! To krelofwerewolf: Thank you! I love that you were going to bed but decided to read the chapter first! I love that you could picture Ginny's outfits, that's what I was hoping for! Thank you! To RedheadLover: Yes, we don't want Harry or Ginny to be with anyone but each other, but as it's not their time yet, the inevitable must happen. We will see a bit of jealous Harry as well. He will definitely be blindsided when he finally realizes he fancies Ginny. Thank you!
To those of you who write review as anonymous GUESTs or leave Tumblr asks as Anonymous — I have no problem with you wanting to be anonymous, but maybe you could sign it as something you'd like so I know who you are? Anything you want. Peanut Butter and Jelly OR Amy OR Bob OR Guest #312. Just something would be really helpful in helping me knowing who is asking these questions or I'm assuming it's all the same person! Thank you in advance!
As to the Game of Thrones series finale, I found it a very poetic ending myself. There are some things that I would have liked to see, but overall, I am happy with it and I think the petition to re-do season eight is uncalled for. People worked very hard on this season and honestly nothing about it was a surprise. It's been hinted at for seven previous seasons. Anyway, I don't want to put any spoilers on here for anyone who hasn't watched yet, but feel free to PM me if you want to discuss!
Thank you to my Beta — SilverStarwolfe!
My posting schedule: Once a week and sometimes on weekends.
As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!
Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR:
The One Where Girls Giggle and Ginny Looks Different
While Ginny was prepping for her first date, Hermione was sitting in the library alone making notes for History of Magic. She used a pen for her own notes, writing neatly to keep things organized for herself. She rolled her eyes when she heard the giggling. She was getting incredibly tired of the fan club that was consistently following Viktor Krum around.
Krum had taken to spending most of his time in the library. Every moment that he wasn't on the Durmstrang ship was spent looking through the stacks or reading a book at the table while he studied. Now that he had been chosen Champion, he was pouring over books on dragons, confirming Hermione and Harry's suspicions that Karkaroff had told his champion of what was coming in the First Task. However, his research meant that the girls of his fan club also showed up and they giggled and spied on him from where he worked. Hermione could see the tension in his shoulders as if he was trying his best to tune them out and she scoffed. She had her own work to do and she came to the library for peace and quiet.
She put her homework away, annoyed that she couldn't concentrate on it. She pulled out the book that she had found on the history of house elves and tugged out her notes. Harry and Ron were still teasing her about SPEW and she was determined to learn everything that she could about house elves and the kind of magic that they possessed. She wanted to talk to some of them as well and she would, but she liked to give herself a thorough knowledge through books first. Harry had told her that she could talk to Zee as well and that idea did intrigue her. The magizoologist was bright and intelligent and she worked in the DRCMC and despite her earlier misgivings, she had to admit that she might be able to help her. Even if it was only how to further her cause.
She knew that her friends were right. If she wanted to truly find a way to change the world, she had to understand all sides of the situation. She couldn't just butt her head in, wands blazing, without understanding why the house elves allowed the magical world to enslave them. She wanted to understand why house elves seemingly wanted to be enslaved and why they loved to serve others so much. She knew how she wanted them to be treated fairly, but first she had to figure out what it meant for them and why they didn't question how they were treated.
And she knew that it wasn't going to change overnight.
Hermione could feel someone's eyes on her and she looked around suspiciously, surprised to find Viktor Krum staring at her. Every time that she was in the library she found his intense dark gaze on her. She checked her fingers for ink spots to see if she might have accidentally transferred some to her face again, but she found her hands were clean. She glanced behind her, noticing Pansy Parkinson and Daphne Greengrass in their rolled up short skirts and loosely buttoned tops and she scoffed. Boys, she thought, turning back to her notes.
Pansy and Daphne moved to sit with Krum and some more girls were giggling nearby breaking her concentration and she frowned when they pointed at her and said something to Krum, laughing loudly. Hermione rolled her eyes. She could only imagine what they were saying about her. Maybe they would say something that would make Krum and his gaggle of female followers leave the library, she thought hopefully, as she focused back on the book that she was reading, wishing that she had some headphones or anything really to tune out the annoying giggling girls so that she could get some actual work done. She contemplated using a silencing charm, but if Madam Pince caught her using magic in the sanctity of her library she would be boldly dismissed from said library so she gritted her teeth and tried to tune them out.
The sound of a chair scraping sharply across the floor made her look up as Pansy and Daphne marched away from Krum looking annoyed. Hermione smiled to herself, two annoying girls down she thought. She turned her attention back to the book.
"House elves are magical beings capable of working five times faster than the average witch or wizard. They have strong magical capabilities, can Apparate anywhere regardless of wards if given proper instruction or called upon by a witch or wizard they have tied themselves to. House elves love to work and to serve witches and wizards in any capacity needed. Nothing makes them happier…"
She scowled at the book. "Of course if it was written by a house elf, there might be better information," she murmured to herself, closing the book in frustration. She pulled out her list of house elf magic and wrote: 'Tied to witch or wizard?'
Harry had mentioned that she remembered, something about it affecting their magic in some way which was part of the reason why Winky had been so distraught upon being given her freedom at the World Cup. Hermione didn't understand how the magic was tied in. Was it something that was paid for once a witch or wizard accepted the house elf as a slave? Was it part of their slavery that they gave up a part of their magic? If they were so magical already; why were witches and wizards afraid to give them wands? It sounded like they didn't even need them anyway so why bother?
She jumped when Madam Pince's voice echoed. "Out! Out! All of you, giggling and causing a disturbance! This is a library! Out!"
The girls who had been spying on Krum glared at the librarian as she ordered them out and Hermione looked over at Krum, surprised to find him staring at her again. She looked behind her and saw the leggy seventh-year blonde and smiled to herself. Boys, she thought again. They were always so predictable.
Hermione turned back to her list of questions about house elves and their magic and became lost in concentration once more now that the silence of her sanctuary had been returned. She tapped her pen against her chin and when the chair scraped the floor next to her she jumped, turning to smile brightly.
"Harry, I was just thinking — oh, sorry," she said in surprise as her eyes met the dark ones of Viktor Krum. "Er, hello."
He smiled at her. "Dobŭr den. I hope I am not invruding."
"Oh! Um, well, I'm just working on… um, no. I'm sorry, can — can I help you with something?" she asked, completely bewildered. She had no idea why he would have come over to sit with her in the first place.
He smiled wider, a rather handsome smile she did admit. When he smiled, his brow softened and his eyes twinkled. "You spend a lot ov vime in here, studying, da?"
"Yes," she said. "I want to do well."
He nodded. "And you are annoyed by vose girls."
It wasn't a question, but she nodded anyway. "I don't understand why they feel the need to follow you around like lost little puppies. I for one can think of fifty other things that I'd rather be doing with my time."
His smile widened. "Vell, I am very vamous, da?"
Hermione merely raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I hadn't heard," she responded, dryly.
Viktor smiled, his dark eyes staring into hers and Hermione's stomach fluttered, nervously. One could get lost in those eyes, she thought.
"Vhat are you studying vith so much vocus?"
"Well, I'm actually trying to learn more about house elves and their magic," she said, matter of factly.
"Vhy?"
Hermione let out a slow breath, turning in her seat to give him her full attention. He was staring at her, his chin resting on his hand and his dark eyes full of curiosity. If she could bring someone like Viktor Krum over to her side of the argument in terms of house elves it could potentially really help her cause, she thought. She reached into her bag for her collection tin and pamphlet, passing one to as him she spoke.
"Because I think that it is completely immoral that the magical population as a whole has enslaved these magical creatures to be nothing more than servants to them! They deserve the same rights and freedoms that we as witches and wizards have a right to! Just because they are elves and not human beings doesn't mean that they do not have human tendencies and human thoughts and still deserve the same basic rights and freedoms! They are intelligent and communicate and act like humans and denying them their rights and freedoms is morally and socially wrong on many levels. I've started my own organization to try to help people become more aware of what they are doing. They are feeding on this thought and encouraging that they work as servants. It's disrespectful and I think that it needs to stop. I think that they should all be freed from a life of servitude and given the chance to earn fair wages for fair work. This pamphlet explains what I would like to see changed in our society."
Viktor was staring at her, an amused expression on his face. "Vhat is your organization called?"
"SPEW — the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare!"
"Good name," he said, honestly.
Hermione smiled. "I wanted to call it Stop The Outrageous Abuse of Our Fellow Magical Creatures and Campaign for a Change in Their Legal Status, but I decided that it that was too long and it wouldn't fit on my buttons." She let out a quick breath. "Would you like to join? It costs two Sickles, which buys the badge."
"You are very inveresting," he said with a little tug at his lips. "Very, vhat's va vord… am-bee-shus."
"Yes, I am," Hermione said, proudly. "I want to make the world a better place, Mr Krum, is that so wrong?"
His dark eyes bore into hers and she felt herself blushing under the intensity of his gaze. She watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out two Sickles, handing them to her. "Nye, I vind it, admphable? Nye, I… ad-my-rah-ble," he said, slowly. When she handed him a badge, he smiled and carefully attached it to the collar on his cloak. "Blagodarya ti… I mean, vank you."
"You're welcome," she said with a smile. "Thank you for taking an interest. But I don't think that you came over here to learn about my position on house elves. What can I help you with, Mr Krum?"
"Viktor," he said, a small smile tugging the corners of his mouth. "I am Viktor."
"Hermione Granger," she said, extending her hand to him. He accepted it and to her surprise, brought it to his lips.
"Nice vu meet you, Herm-own-ninny. I had heard you are very bright vitch, smart and somevimes vutor other students?"
She nodded. "Yes. But I'm only fifteen, I'm sure that you know much more than I do."
Viktor smiled at her, his dark eyes on hers. "You are nice and you do not giggle like vose girls vhen I valk. I vot perhaps you vould like to valk vith me, da?"
Hermione stared at him in surprise. "Talk with you? About what?"
"I vould like to speak better," he told her. "So, vhen I come back vu England, I can speak better vith people. I listen vu you valk and vis helps me learn. I vould like vu hear more about your S-P-E-W."
Hermione stared at him in surprise. "Do you actually want to know more?"
"Da. Yes," he repeated, smiling at her. "You vell me about S-P-E-W, I vant vu know vhat you vould like vu change."
Hermione found herself smiling back as she tucked a bushy curl behind her ear. She added the Sickles to her collection tin and wrote his name on her list as she spoke. "We're small so far. I just started it in September and Harry is going to help me get in contact with the DRCMC, that is our Ministry of Magic's Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, as his mother is an agent there, but I want to do my own research first and learn all I can about house elves and the magic that they have."
Viktor nodded. "Go on."
"Well, short-term, I want to make sure that elves are given fair wages and better working conditions. I've seen how terribly house elves can be treated by their masters, forced to punish themselves if they misbehave or don't do something that they were asked and it's barbaric! Long-term, I'd like to change the law about wand-use. Did you know that our Ministry doesn't even have an elf represented in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures? They are beneath them. It's pathetic and completely uncalled for. Do you own a house elf?" she asked, her eyes on his dark ones in a rather accusing manner.
He smiled slowly, his eyes twinkling in amusement. "Nye. My mama likes vu do the vork herself, but my grandparents, vey had von vhen I vas a child. She vas alvays very nice vu me. Her name vas Anya."
Hermione nodded and continued to talk his ear off about house elves.
When she went up to her dormitory that night she realized that she had never asked him how he had known that she tutored other students in the first place. His interest in SPEW had taken her by surprise and she had gotten carried away as usual. She smiled as she climbed under the covers of her four poster.
But she had recruited someone else to join her cause and that was good enough for her.
~ ASC ~
Seamus was lying on his back, Will's head snuggled under his arm. They were stretched out and snuggled close in Will's four poster bed. It had been the most amazing night of his life, he thought.
He had been nervous, who wouldn't be, and the entire time that he had followed Will through the Ravenclaw common room after dinner, his palms had been sweating. But no one had even bothered to look up at him. No one had cared that he was following Will up to his dormitory or that he was a lion in the eagle's nest. When he had stepped inside the fifth year boy's dorm, he noticed that it was laid out a bit differently from the dormitories in Gryffindor Tower. Everything was blue and bronze of course, but there were still five four poster beds, five desks, five dressers and five night tables. The only real difference seemed to be that it was more octagon shaped; or maybe he just thought it was.
Will had led him to the bed on the left and then he had put up a privacy charm, a silencing charm as well as a Do Not Disturb charm around the bed before he had grinned at him and closed the bed curtains around them.
"See, now no one will even know that you're in here except for me," he had breathed, moving to sit back on his knees. Will had reached over to gently brush his fingers through his boyfriend's hair. "I love you and as much as I want this, I don't want it if you're not ready."
But he had been more than ready and it had been perfect, he thought. It had been everything that it was supposed to be and more. He kissed the top of Will's head, his breathing finally slowing down, but his heart was still pounding in his chest from the aftermath.
"What are you thinking about?" Will whispered, brushing his fingertips down the side of Seamus' cheek and bringing him back to the present.
Seamus smiled at him. "How good I feel. Was it, I mean, was it okay?"
Will reached up to kiss him softly, moving his hand down over Seamus' hip. "Better than okay. You were amazing."
"I didn't…"
"You didn't what?" Will asked, resting his chin on Seamus' chest and looking up into his eyes.
Seamus let out a slow breath. "I didn't know that it would feel so good to be inside you, to —" he blushed bright red as he spoke. "To touch you while I was…"
Will grinned, his nimble fingers doing delicious things that made Seamus' eyes roll back. "You were incredible, Seam. It was perfect. In fact," he said, kissing his boyfriend's chest and planting kisses lower and lower as Seamus sucked in a breath when his lips hovered over him, his tongue flicked out over his tip, licking in long torturous strokes. "Are you up for round two?"
Seamus smiled at him, moaning when Will's mouth wrapped around him. "If you keep that up, I won't last for round two."
Will grinned up at him, his cheeks hollowing as he worked him.
Seamus' hips arched involuntarily. "Will! Fuck, stop," he moaned.
Will smiled and kissed his way back up his chest before he moved to lie next to him, spreading his own legs. "I stopped. Now what?"
Seamus grabbed a fistful of his boyfriend's hair and kissed him deeply, rolling on top of him as they kissed and settled himself between Will's legs. "I love you."
Will slid his hands down Seamus' back. "I love you, too."
Then they were kissing again and nothing felt more right.
~ ASC ~
The next afternoon, Hermione made her way back to the library. She had lost time the night before with the house elf research and then her recruitment of Viktor Krum to her cause and she needed to finish her Arithmancy essay and to work on her notes from History of Magic if she was ever going to decipher what Binns had taught them that week. She made herself comfortable in the library in her usual corner, smiling when Harry, Ron, and Neville joined her. It was a little while later when Viktor appeared again, sitting at a table near them, books open. To her delight, he was wearing the SPEW badge on his cloak which he had hung over the back of his chair.
She felt eyes on her and when she looked up she was startled to find that intense dark gaze meeting hers and her stomach quivered in pleasure, surprising her. She looked behind her and noticed Pansy and Daphne were there again. Today they both wore rather short dresses and she rolled her eyes. Of course, he was looking at them and not at her. Boys were all the same. She should know better, she thought, thoroughly annoyed at herself as much as him.
She couldn't help but grin when less than ten minutes later Madam Pince kicked all of the fangirls out of the library again and she noticed that once again, Viktor's shoulders relaxed once they were gone. She imagined that having girls throw themselves at you all the time was rather tedious, she thought.
Harry stretched his arms up over his head, turning her attention away from Viktor. "Okay, my essay is done. I need a break and some food."
"Me too!" Ron exclaimed, his eyes moving over to Viktor. He had accumulated another group of fangirls again who hadn't yet been caught by Madam Pince. "I still can't believe that's Krum over there. Viktor Krum!"
Hermione rolled her eyes. "He's just a student, Ron. In fact, I convinced him to join SPEW last night."
Ron glared at her. "Hermione! Why would you bore Krum with some rubbish like that? House elves like being enslaved! Why even bother?"
"Don't get her started, Ron," Harry said with a smirk as Hermione glared at them.
"Don't get me started — what does that mean, Harry? It is for a good cause and you two just think that I'm full of it!"
Harry took her arm in his. "We support you, Hermione. Honestly."
"We do. All of us, even Ron," Neville said, smiling warmly at her.
Ron rolled his eyes and then nodded. "Yeah, we do."
"Want to get a snack with us, Hermione? You can even tell us more about your house elf cause?" Harry offered, giving her a small smile. "Ice cream sounds great, right?"
She smiled back and kissed his cheek. "Yes, it does. But, no. Off with you lot, I have work that I want to finish and you three telling me how hungry you are is just distracting."
Ron smiled and stood up. "Hope to see you before dinner, but we know that we won't."
"Bye, Hermione," Neville said, grabbing his own books and following his friends from the library.
Hermione urged them off and turned back to her books, sighing. She pulled out her History of Magic notes to try to rewrite and decipher them with help from her textbook. With Binns being so boring and hard to focus on if she didn't take the time to do this, she had no idea what was going on.
She worked well for almost fifteen minutes before the chair next to her moved and she turned to smile, expecting it to be one of her friends who had forgotten something, but was surprised to see that it was once again Viktor Krum.
"Um, hi," she said in surprise.
He smiled and sat next to her. "May I sit?"
She nodded.
His intense gaze met hers again and she blushed. "I vas vatching you vith Harry Potter. Is he your boyvriend?"
"My — Harry? No," she said with a grin. "We're just friends."
"Good," he said, as he reached out and placed his hand over hers. "I vould very much like vu ask… vill you…" He looked frustrated. "My English somevimes not great, I vould like vu ask… vould you come vith me vu va Yule Ball next month?"
Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Me? Why?" she squeaked.
He smiled, warmly. "I vant vu get vu know you."
He wanted to get to know her? She couldn't imagine why. He was an internationally famous Quidditch star. And she was just, well, her.
He smiled again and brought her hand up to his lips, kissing it, softly, and sending shivers up her arm. "I have been seeing you and I vink you are very bea-u-tee-vul. I like valking vith you. I vant vu get vu know you. Vill you go vith me, Herm-own-ninny?"
Hermione only nodded, completely speechless. The Yule Ball… she had been contemplating on whether or not to actually go to the ball. She'd had a half-hearted dream of Ron asking her, scooping her up into his warm arms and dancing the night with her before she'd squashed that thought. Ron would never ask, but Viktor was. He was older and handsome. Very handsome, she admitted.
His dark eyes stared into hers and she managed to squeak out. "Okay."
His lips brushed the top of her hand again and he smiled. "Perhaps you might even vish me luck in va task ahead? Da?"
She smiled. "Good luck."
Viktor smiled warmly. "I vill be here again tomorrow. Maybe you sit vith me, da? Ve can study vugether? Valk again? Da?"
"Yes," she said, smiling up at him.
He grinned and stood up. "I look vorvard. Have good day, Herm-own-ninny."
Hermione watched him walk away, her eyes on his broad shoulders and his dark hair.
Viktor Krum had just asked her to go to the Yule Ball with him and she had no idea why.
But she couldn't stop smiling.
~ ASC ~
Harry smiled at Hermione when he saw her waiting for him the day of the Hogsmeade trip. "Hey, Hermione, been waiting long?"
She shook her head. "No. I just didn't know what time you lot were getting up."
He grinned and stifled a yawn.
"Still training hard, I see."
He nodded. "I need to burn off some energy and training out on the pitch really helps. It's important that I stay in good physical condition as much as mental, especially with the First Task being next week already."
"I can't believe how calm you are about this task. I am freaking out for you!"
Harry slipped his arm around her shoulders. "And I appreciate that, Hermione. I don't know. I feel like I have a plan and having a plan makes it seem less terrifying. I may change my mind when I get down there and am actually faced with a dragon. But for now, it feels right."
"I'm glad that you're taking this seriously, Harry."
"Don't have much of a choice, do I? I don't want to get eaten or set on fire."
She slapped his arm. "Prat! Don't even joke about that! Are Ron and Neville coming down?"
"Slowly and eventually, but yeah. Let's go get some breakfast. They can meet us down there. Are Ginny and Luna coming?"
Hermione smiled. "Maybe later on. They have other plans. I have something later on too so, I'm only coming for the morning."
Harry shrugged. "Okay. Whatever you say, Hermione. Let's get some food."
~ ASC ~
Ginny took a deep breath as she waited in line for Filch to check permission slips. This was her second official trip to Hogsmeade and the next trip wasn't going to be authorized until mid February. She was nervous that she had a date and she was excited and terrified at the same time. He seemed so sweet and nice and she was anxious to get to know him.
She had told Hermione, who had grinned widely at her, and told her that Michael had always been very nice to her. Plus he was a Ravenclaw so, he was incredibly intelligent. Then Hermione had told her about what had happened in the library and Ginny's jaw had dropped open.
Viktor Krum had asked her friend to attend the Yule Ball with him; her friend who knew absolutely nothing about Quidditch.
Hermione was just as much in shock as Ginny was.
"He's sweet, Ginny, and I think that he knows that I don't care that he's famous."
"I bet it's part of the reason why he likes you," Ginny told her. "It's probably refreshing. You're going to work with him in the library later again?"
Hermione nodded. "He said that he'd be waiting there. He's been sitting with me off and on for most of the week and we just talk about my classes and he tells me a little about what they learn in Durmstrang. His accent is very sexy."
Ginny grinned widely. "After curfew, we both have a lot to share tonight."
Hermione had only grinned back in response.
Ginny smiled at Colin and Luna as they crossed over the bridge away from the castle with her. "I know that we still have over an hour until I have to meet Michael, I don't want to be too early."
Luna smiled dreamily at her. "Let's go look in the book shop on the way over. I want to get Daddy a new book for Christmas."
Colin nodded. "Sounds good to me."
The three of them looked up when Neville hurried towards them, a determined look on his face.
"Ginny!"
"Hi, Nev," she said with a smile. "Everything okay? You look a bit frazzled."
He chuckled, nervously. "Erm, not really. I mean, I guess, um, I don't know."
Ginny smiled and linked her arm through his. "Where's Harry, Ron, and Hermione?"
"Oh, um, they were heading to Zonko's, I said that I'd catch up."
She nodded. "What's up, Neville?"
He let out a slow sigh, stopping her in her tracks, his eyes darting to Colin and Luna respectively before he spoke. "Ginny, I know that it's still over a month away and that you probably don't want to, but I'm no good at this whole dating thing and frankly, most girls terrify me and I don't want to go to the Yule Ball alone and I thought that since we're friends, maybe you'd like to go with me, as a friend that is, and this way we can both have fun and just have a good time and well, please say yes because I already asked Hermione as a friend and she already has a date and if you say no I can't possibly go because no one will go with me and I can't go alone and please make me stop," he finished, biting his lip.
Ginny smiled at him. "Neville, I'm sure that some girl would love to go with you to the ball."
He shook his head. "I rather doubt it. Please, Ginny, come with me, as a friend?"
Ginny stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "I'd love to, Neville. It's my only opportunity to even go and if you really want to go with me instead of some lucky girl, how can I say no?"
He let out a sigh of relief and grinned, hugging her tight. "Thank you! I just… I'm not ready to ask anyone out yet. Is that… bad?"
"No!" Ginny exclaimed with a smile. "When you're ready, you'll be ready. Don't rush yourself, Neville. I'd be honoured to go with you, as friend. We'll have a great time together."
"Thanks, Ginny," he said. "Hey, do you know who Hermione is going with anyway?"
Ginny smiled at him. "That's her secret to share. Listen, I have to go, but I'll see you later."
Neville nodded, smiling at her. "Yes, thanks Ginny."
She watched him head off in the opposite direction, a bounce in his step and she smiled. He was so sweet and she knew that he would make a girl very happy one day. He just needed to not be so shy. She was going to the Yule Ball!
"Look at you, Miss Popular!" Colin exclaimed, linking his arm with hers. "A date with Michael; now a date to the Yule Ball, what's next for you, Miss Weasley?"
Ginny blushed. "Neville and I are just friends, Colin. Besides, third years can't even go to the ball unless we're invited by an older student."
Luna looked thoughtful. "Well, now we will have to find you a dress."
"I'll write to Mum when I get back. I think I have one that can be altered."
They chatted about the upcoming ball on their way to the bookstore and Luna found a few interesting books for her father before they made their way to The Three Broomsticks. Ginny felt her nerves kick in as they entered the pub at exactly noon. Her eyes scanned the bar, worried that he might stand her up or that the date wasn't real in some way, but then her smile widened when she saw him sitting at a booth in the far corner and she realized how ridiculous her thoughts were. She waved goodbye to her friends and weaved through the tables over to him.
"Hi, Michael," she said when his eyes met hers.
"Hi, Ginny," he smiled back, urging her to take a seat in the booth next to him. "You look gorgeous."
"Thank you," she said, blushing. "You look good too," she said, taking in his blue knit jumper, black leather jacket, and blue jeans with his white runners.
Rosmerta, the pretty bartender, came over to take their order and Michael ordered them two Butterbeers and two chocolate scones, making Ginny smile.
"So, I'm really glad that you came today," he told her with a grin. "I think you're beautiful."
She blushed and placed her hands in her lap. "Thank you."
He grinned. "Your hair is all fire and it's just amazing. It's the first thing that caught my eye about you. Then I saw you tackle Potter in Defence Club and I thought, that girl's a bad-arse."
Ginny chuckled. "I didn't realize that you were in Defence Club."
"Ah, that's a hit to my ego!" he exclaimed, holding a hand over his heart like she'd wounded him. "I'm just moving into the Advanced Class now. Professor Lupin let me sit in on the last few just to see how it went. You're a very skilled witch."
"I have a lot of brothers who I like to keep on their toes."
Michael grinned. "A few brothers? Anyone that I know?"
"A few I imagine," she said. "My last name is Weasley."
Michael's eyes widened. "Red hair, I should have guessed. So, your Ron's little sister? The way he talks about you, I imagined you to be much younger but you… you should be no one's little sister."
She smiled as his eyes dipped down her body rather provocatively before moving back to her eyes. "Well, I am. I have six older brothers. But only Ron, Fred, and George are still at Hogwarts."
"Impressive. I have an older sister. Her name is Madelyn and she's a huge pain the arse, but I like her. She's a seventh year and in Ravenclaw with me." He smiled at Rosmerta, thanking her for the butterbeers and scone. "So, Ginny, tell me about yourself. I want to know everything."
Ginny smiled. "I don't really know what everything implies."
"Everything," he said with a grin. "Birthday?"
"August eleventh."
"Favourite colour?"
"Green."
"Do you like Quidditch?"
"Love it."
"Favourite team?"
"Harpies."
He grinned. "Good taste."
"You?"
"Harpies," he said with a grin. "They're great, but actually I've always been a supporter of the Wasps. I thought it was pretty exciting when Ludo Bagman showed up to introduce the tournament. I'd love to get his autograph."
"He'd love it," Ginny told him. "I met him at the World Cup this summer and he rather likes the attention."
Michael smiled. "Maybe I will. Okay, the Weird Sisters or the Charmers?"
"Weird Sisters for dancing, the Charmers for listening."
"Good answer. Charms or Potions?"
"Charms."
"Cats or dogs?"
"Dogs."
"Night or day?"
"Night," she said with a grin.
"Chocolate or vanilla?"
"Chocolate."
"Strawberry or Raspberry jam?"
"Strawberry."
"Can I kiss you? Yes or no?"
"Ye — oh! That was clever."
He grinned and leaned in. "Was that a yes?"
Ginny stared into his brown eyes and nodded. "Yes."
Michael smiled, his dimple flashing as he bent his head and touched his lips to hers. Ginny pressed her own lips to his, unsure of how to proceed, but then his lips moved under hers and it made sense. The pub around them seemed to evaporate and there was nothing but Michael and his soft lips that sent shivers down her spine and when his hands touched her shoulders, she leaned into him and the kiss deepened.
He smiled, licking his lips as he pulled back. "Mmm, you taste like butterbeer."
"So do you," she answered.
He grinned and tucked a loose hair from her braid behind her ear. "Shall we do that again then?"
Instead of answering, Ginny merely leaned in and captured his bottom lip and when he kissed her back, she thought that it was perfect.
~ ASC ~
Ginny was grinning when she got back from her date. She had spent three hours in The Three Broomsticks with Michael talking about anything and everything. They had kissed a few more times and he had kissed her goodbye once they had reached Gryffindor Tower. It had been a wonderful afternoon and she couldn't stop smiling.
She'd spent the rest of her evening telling Colin, Luna, and Theo all about her date and how sweet and charming Michael had been. She walked with Colin back to the Gryffindor common room just before curfew. She said goodnight to him before she hurried over to where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville were sitting by the fire.
"I've mastered the Summoning Charming pretty well and I think I'm as ready as I can be," Harry admitted, looking up and smiling as Ginny approached. "Hi, Ginny."
"Hi," she said, smiling back.
"What are you all dressed up?" Ron asked her.
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I went to Hogsmeade and wanted to look nice, didn't realize it was a crime. Hermione, can I steal you?"
Hermione nodded and said goodnight to the boys before she followed Ginny up to her dormitory. KJ was the only one up there and she merely gave Hermione a cool look before heading into the bathroom to shower and leaving them alone. Ginny settled herself on her bed and Hermione did the same.
"Well?" Hermione asked. "You looked pretty happy during dinner. I'm guessing that it went well?"
"He's so nice, Hermione!" Ginny gushed, grinning widely. "He's sweet and charming and friendly and he kissed me."
Hermione's jaw dropped. "He kissed you!"
"We kissed lots, actually. He has the softest lips and it was just perfect, you know? It was a really great first kiss and second and third and eighth kiss," she said, grinning from ear to ear.
Hermione smiled at her. "That's great, Ginny! Michael is really intelligent, but the professors are always complaining that he doesn't apply himself well enough. Plus, he has really nice eyes."
"Doesn't he?" Ginny asked, biting her bottom lip. "He asked me if I'd go for a walk with him around the grounds tomorrow after lunch. I said yes. I really like him, Hermione."
"That's great, you deserve a nice first boyfriend. I know that you still like Harry a little."
Ginny shrugged. "I think that part of me will always like him a little. He's the boy who saved me from the Chamber of Secrets, one of my best friends, and the person I trust most in the world. But, yeah, I need to think about myself and Harry's already had two girlfriends and honestly, I'm obviously not his type. I want him to be happy and I deserve to be happy too. And if Michael makes me happy. I mean, he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend or anything, but he asked me out again so, I think that's a good sign."
Hermione smiled. "It sounds like one to me. He is really very fit."
"I love his dimples," Ginny said with a smile.
Hermione grinned back. "Speaking of being fit, I spent the evening with Viktor again."
Ginny's eyes widened. "That's what, five times now?"
Hermione nodded. "Six, actually. He's so sweet, Ginny! And it's fascinating to learn all about his home and his country. He has two younger sisters named Iglika and Desislava and they both think Quidditch is boring much to his dismay. He said that when he wrote home to tell them that he was picked as champion they told him it was about time that he did something cool. He can't say my name at all and I think that it's kind of endearing actually because he tries so hard. He calls me Herm-own-ninny. I tried to get him to say Mione instead and he called me, 'Mine,' and that gave me an odd little thrill."
"Is that what you talk about, his home?"
"Sometimes. I told him about my parents and how they are Muggles and dentists. He thinks that's fascinating. I told him about my friends and we spoke about my classes a little and what I'm studying or learning. I met him in Hogsmeade this afternoon. He held my hand as we walked through the village and we looked in the shops and had butterbeer. And then tonight he kissed me."
"What?" Ginny squeaked. "And you're just telling me this now!"
Hermione grinned, looking sheepish. "We had just left the library and his fangirls had been disbanded again by Madam Pince. He walked me back to Gryffindor Tower, holding my hand in his and he told me how excited he is to take me to the Yule Ball and then there's this little alcove by the stairs that's hidden by that big tapestry of the castle?" At Ginny's nod, she smiled. "He tugged me behind it and he leaned back against the wall, placing his hands on my hips and then he smiled slowly and tugged me towards him and dipped his head and kissed me. It was soft and sweet and almost… chaste. He pulled away and smiled, then his hands slid up my back into my hair and he pulled me up against him and… we kissed again. It was… wonderful."
Ginny was grinning from ear to ear. "I can't believe that the girl who dislikes Quidditch is sneaking around the school and stealing kisses from an international Quidditch star. Life is so unfair!"
Hermione chuckled. "When he looks at me, Ginny, those intense dark eyes, it's like he sees into my soul or something and I get these little shivers over my body. When he kissed me, I thought, finally, you know? And I know that he's three years older than me, but I like him. I'm looking forward to going to the dance with him."
"Is he nervous about the task?"
"I think so. We don't talk about the tournament or Quidditch. I think it's just kind of an unsaid rule that those two topics are off limits. We just talk about each other and he listens and I've been helping him with his English a little. He says that he likes Hogwarts better than Durmstrang and I've rather gotten the impression that he doesn't like Karkaroff that much. Nothing he's said, just an impression, you know?"
Ginny nodded. "I'm excited that we're both going to the ball. Mum wrote back about sending me a dress and she promised not to tell any of the boys that Michael asked me out. I don't really know if they'd do anything, but I'm not risking it. I'm kind of glad that I'm going with Neville."
Hermione smiled. "Smart move. And yes, I would have said yes to Neville, but Viktor had already asked me."
"Viktor," she said with a grin, her eyes twinkling. "Are you going to tell Harry and Ron that you're going with him?"
Hermione hesitated. "I want to, but… he's a famous Quidditch star and I'm worried they're going to be get all, you know…"
Ginny nodded. "Quidditch star crazy? Maybe it is a good decision to wait. But you'll introduce me at the Ball, right? I promise not to embarrass you."
"You would never embarrass me," Hermione told her sincerely. "And yes I will."
Ginny just beamed at her.
~ ASC ~
Since Wednesday mornings were his free time, Harry continued to spend them outside on the Quidditch pitch. Now that he knew he had plan in mind for the First Task, he found himself training harder than ever.
Taking Tonks' advice about finding an outlet for his energy, he had started waking up an hour earlier to jog around the Quidditch pitch. He did five laps around the pitch before he stretched; resting his broomstick across the back of his shoulders and started running up and down the stands. He made it up and down twice before he stretched slowly and chugged water before heading to the showers.
He spent his free period practicing flying between the goalposts, through the posts, and practicing his weaving, diving, and rolling. He trained hard and it was where Ginny found him broom surfing the following Monday night after dinner. He jumped back down on his broom and landed in front of her, grinning.
"That was pretty brilliant, Harry," she told him.
"Thanks," he said, running his fingers through his hair. "It helps burn off some energy, you know?"
"Nervous energy?"
He shrugged. "It's on Thursday."
She smiled at him. "Yes, it is, and I think that you're going to do brilliantly."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. You didn't bet against me, then?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "I didn't bet at all. Fred and George bet on you though. Theo has done quite well for himself with this betting pool he's started."
Harry nodded. "I bet. Thanks." He sighed. "I haven't intentionally been avoiding you all, I just need to concentrate, you know?"
"I know," she said with a smile. "Just wanted to check in."
"Ginny?"
"Hmm?" she asked, turning to smile at him.
Harry stared at her a moment. She seemed to be glowing with happiness. "You look different."
"Different how?"
He shrugged. "I'm not sure, just different."
Ginny smiled. "Well, I hope good different."
"I didn't mean — yes, of course you look good, there's just something… you look really… happy."
"I am happy," she said. "If you feel up to going for a run later, let me know. I like running and jumping in the trees."
He nodded. "Thanks, Ginny. I think I'm just going to fly some more."
"Okay. I'm going to go bug Colin. See you later."
Harry watched her go, his eyes on her round bum before he caught himself. She did look different, good different, he thought. She had done something to her eyes. Nothing overly different, but something that made them pop. and she had been wearing shiny lipgloss. She smelt of flowers and spring.
He shook the thoughts from his head. The tournament was messing with his mind, he thought. It was Ginny and that was that, he thought, grabbing his broom. He soared back up into the sky and focused on flying.
That was something he at least understood.
~ ASC ~
When Thursday came around, Harry woke up feeling nervous but determined. He laid his Firebolt on his bed in his dormitory and opened the window once his roommates had all left for class. Afternoon classes had been cancelled for the First Task, but Harry was relieved of his classes for the entire day. He wasn't really sure what to do and found himself walking by the Black Lake, lost in thought. He met his friends in the Great Hall for lunch before McGonagall came to collect him along with the other champions. He moved towards the forest, thinking of the nerves fluttering inside of him.
His eyes widened when he saw the massive arena that had been erected near the Forbidden Forest. They had kept it well hidden under magical concealing charms until the tournament organizers had been ready to share it and Harry could see why. The arena was twice the size of the Quidditch pitch with tall walls blocking anyone from seeing inside of it. McGonagall led he and Cedric around the left side to where a large tent stood.
Harry was relieved when he saw Sirius, Zee, Remus, and Tonks waiting in front of the tent for him.
"Hi!"
Zee tugged him into her arms and Sirius hugged him from the other side. "Are you ready?"
Harry shrugged, feeling immensely better now that he was squashed between Zee and Sirius. "Not even remotely."
Sirius kissed his forehead. "We'll be cheering you on, Harry. You can do this!"
He nodded. "I know. Thanks."
Zee kissed his cheek. "Good luck, love."
Harry was then squished between Remus and Tonks, both hugging him tight and wishing him luck. Tonks whispered to him to fly his heart out, before he was squished a third time, this time between his fathers. He marvelled in how much the hug calmed him before he watched them go back around to the entrance of the arena to find their seats. He let out a slow breath, his eyes meeting the angry stare of Amos Diggory from his right. He watched Cedric pat his father's back and turn him away from Harry and Harry stepped into the tent. He was immediately accosted by Ludo Bagman.
"Harry!" he exclaimed, slapping his back in cheerful bravado. "Excited, my boy?"
"Er, sure."
Bagman nodded solemnly. "Listen, Harry, I get it. You didn't ask for this. You're involved in this tournament against your wishes and the other champions are much older and more experienced than you. Between you and me, that means you should get a little extra help. Anything I can do to make you feel better!"
"Um, thanks, Mr Bagman, but I'm fine."
Bagman looked like he wanted to protest, but Fleur walked in followed by Mr Crouch and he nodded. "Excellent."
Harry moved over to where his name was written over a dressing room wall divider and he found a red and gold long-sleeved jersey with black trousers all in fire-proof material, the name Potter etched in bold black letters across the back, and the Hogwarts crest across his chest. He changed into his clothing, putting his Quidditch boots back on and emerging a few moments later as Krum and Cedric came in. Five minutes later, they were all wearing their respective school clothing, Harry and Cedric differed by house colours, and Bagman had urged them to gather around him.
"Champions, gather round, gather round," he said with excitement. "As you know, today's task is set to test your daring, your bravery and most of all, your instincts. In this bag —," he shook the velvet pouch in his hand, "— is a figure of what you will be facing out there. Each one has a number on it which details in which order you will be performing your tasks. Ladies first, Miss Delacour," he said, holding the bag out to Fleur.
Fleur took a slow breath and reached her hand into the bag and pulled out a figurine of a Common Welsh Green with a number two around its neck. She nodded in response and didn't exhibit any surprise at the sight of the dragon. Cedric reached next, the Swedish Short-Snout and a number one. Krum got the Chinese Fireball and number three and Harry gulped.
He knew what was left.
He stared at the figure of the Hungarian Horntail with the number four and he suddenly realized that he had the same figure at home on his dresser. He had been fascinated by the Horntail that he had seen in Sicily on the reserve. They were ferocious beasts and he remembered how the dragon tamer had told him that they could shoot fire up to fifteen metres. But now, looking down at the dragon figure, the Horntail didn't seem as exciting as it once did, but a hell of lot more terrifying.
Mr Crouch stared at the four of them. "You will be confined to the tent until your name is called. Myself, Mr Bagman, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Karkaroff, and Madame Maxime will be judging your performances. Each dragon is guarding a Golden Egg. It is your task to get this egg away from the dragon safely. The best of luck to you."
Harry swallowed, taking a seat on the chair in front of his dressing area, watching the dragon figure lay down in his hand and go to sleep. If only the dragon out there would do the same thing, he thought.
He heard Bagman announce the tournament, but he wasn't listening, instead he watched the other champions. Cedric kept running his fingers through his hair, glancing up at the ceiling, his eyes focused, but fearful. Krum was pacing back and forth in front of his dressing room, his arms crossed behind his back and his eyes on his feet as he walked. Fleur looked a little sick to her stomach, but she sat on the edge of a chair, twisting her hands in her lap and she seemed to be talking to herself.
Harry reached under his robes for the dog tag necklace that he had worn since his sixth birthday and fiddled with it, holding the warm metal between his thumb and forefinger as if hoping it would give him some sort of comfort.
"Harry!" a voice hissed and he turned to see a flash of flame-coloured hair near the entrance to the tent. He hurried over and lifted the flap just as Ginny threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.
The feel of her pressed against him made his body react and he quickly moved away from her, the back of his neck flushing. This was Ginny; he told himself.
"Ginny, what are you doing here?"
She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Lots of love and luck."
He smiled brightly at her. "If I don't get eaten first."
Someone cuffed him across the back and he yelped, turning to glower at Hermione. "That hurt!"
"You're not going to die," she told him, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Lots of love and luck. We'll be cheering you on."
He nodded and hugged her tightly, pleased that it felt normal. Hugging Hermione didn't make him feel strange things, he thought. He hugged her tighter, holding on an extra moment and thankful for her. "Thanks."
"We love you," Hermione told him, kissing his cheek again. "And you can do this. Good luck!"
Hermione snuck a look over at Viktor and smiled at him. His intense gaze stared back at her, a soft smile tugging at his lips before she turned back to Ginny, taking her arm in hers as they waved goodbye and hurried off.
Harry watched them feeling a bit lighter. His eyes were on the sway of Ginny's hips before he caught himself and looked away.
He sat back down in front of his dressing area, his eyes on the sleeping form of the Horntail figure just as he heard Bagman announce the first champion, Cedric.
"Good luck," he said, causing Cedric to turn and smile at him.
"You, too," he said before he took a deep breath and stepped out of the tent towards the arena.
He could hear Bagman commentating, every minute felt like an hour. It seemed that whatever Cedric had decided to do was working and then he heard the crowd gasp and shout; someone screamed and then there was loud applause. The whole thing had taken less than fifteen minutes, he noted in surprise.
He looked up at the clock and his feet tapped nervously to an unknown beat. His eyes met Fleur's as she began to pace quietly and then Bagman called her name.
"Bonne chance," Harry said, making her turn to look at him in surprise.
"Merci," she said, closing her eyes for a moment. "Here we go."
Harry and Krum both watched her go and the crowd cheered as she entered the arena. Bagman's running commentary told them nothing of what she was doing, but again the sounds of the crowd made Harry nervous and he twisted his neck from side to side in an attempt to calm himself. He glanced over at Krum who was still pacing, his eyes on his feet. He looked rather calm, but nervous at the same time.
Harry placed a hand over his uneasy stomach, closing his eyes. It was just a Quidditch match, he thought; pretend it's Slytherin. That made him grin, but didn't help his nerves. When Krum's name was called, Harry again wished him luck.
Krum nodded. "You as vell."
And then he was gone and Harry was alone in the tent.
The sounds only seemed more brutal as the crowd 'oohed' and 'ahhed' at appropriate intervals. When Bagman shouted that something was a bad move, Harry stood up and began to pace the width of the tent. When that didn't do enough to calm his nerves, he fell to the ground and began to do push-ups. He did twenty before he started to pace again.
Just another game, he murmured, just another game.
And then the crowd was cheering again and Bagman's voice called out his name.
"And now for our fourth and final champion, facing the most dangerous of dragons, the Hungarian Horntail, is… Harry Potter!"
Harry let out a slow breath and thought, here goes nothing.
And then he stepped out of the tent and into the roaring crowd of the arena.
End Author's Notes:
(Bulgarian) Blagodarya ti = thank you.
(Bulgarian) Dobŭr den = good day
(Bulgarian) da = yes
(Bulgarian) nye = no
(French) Bonne chance = good luck
(French) Merci = thank you
Thank you and please review!