The first thought that coursed through Hermione's head was that she had to stop the Malfoys and Menos from seeing this article.

Without another thought Hermione apparated in front of the Malfoy Residence.

'Thank God. The papers are still outside.'

She saw Narcissa coming out and quickly Hermione muttered Inferno at the offending papers. The ends of the flame nearly caught on Narcissa's robes and she gave a yelp before heading to her car then driving off.

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. However it was short-lived.

Soon she saw about ten owls heading her way. Each dropped a squeaking peony on her before flying off and the squeaking peonies all squeaked "I love you. I love you. I love you."

Then a bigger object came flying her way and before she knew it she was being enveloped in a bone-crushing hug. "I missed you Hermione. Had to come see you." Viktor smiled toothily.

"Viktor. The Daily Prophet. We're not dating are we?" Hermione asked bewildered.

"Well, they came to interview me and I just had to say what I felt."

"But I never agreed to it…"

"It's ok honey. You don't need to hide your feelings for me." Viktor gave her a light peck on the lips.

"Viktor. You don't understand. I'm getting mar…" she trailed off as she saw Draco glaring at them from his window.

'Shiet. I forgot where I was. I hope he didn't hear anything." Hermione panicked.

"Listen sugar babe. I need to go back to Bulgaria for a mandatory quidditch practice. I'll be back by this evening. What do you say we go somewhere together later?"

Hermione browsed her mind quickly for an excuse of some sort, "Um. I have plans with Harry and Ron this evening. Sorry Viktor."

"It's alright. I can join you guys no?" Viktor grinned before waving goodbye and apparating off somewhere.


That night brought the four witches and wizards to a muggle bowling center. They decided the pairing should be Harry and Ron versus Hermione and Viktor because both Ron and Viktor had never bowled before.

After explaining that you score points by knocking down as many pins as possible, the four entered the center.

"How many and what shoe sizes?"said an all too familiar voice. Hermione wasn't surprised to see Bear anymore. She had surrendered to the fact that he simply worked EVERYWHERE. It was impossible to go two days without seeing Bear.

"A women's seven, two men's nine, and one men's ten." Hermione said.

Also buying a large popcorn and some nachos, they headed to lane 17.

Bear's eyes followed Viktor for a while before he returned to serving the customers.

After the initial few moments of awkwardness, both Harry and Ron had warmed up to Viktor and were happily chatting to him about Quidditch. They listened in awe at his stories between their turns and even seemed more interested in him than the actual game.

Hermione became quite frustrated at being ignored but this went unnoticed by all three men. Excusing herself for the lady's room, she walked over to the counter where Bear was.

"Hey Bear, what time do you get off today?"

"In about ten minutes. Why? You want to challenge me to a game?" The Bear smirked beneath his bear costume.

"Sure. Why not? My friends are so into Viktor that they wouldn't even notice me gone."

"You don't sound too excited about him. Thought you guys were going out…"

"Not true. Where did you hear such a thing?" Hermione exclaimed.

Bear pointed at a stack of Daily Prophets beside the counter.

"Bear, I swear it's not true. I don't like him like that anymore. Even though the necklace he gave me is gorgeous and he's a wonderfully romantic fellow, I just don't see him like that. So don't misunderstand, you got that bear?" Hermione spoke all of this really fast as though it was imperative the bear understood her.

"Got it. Got it. Chill Granger." Glancing at the clock, he said, "I'm off work now so let's go get our game started."

"You know we have to place another stake on this game right?"

The bear growled but agreed nonetheless. "What is it this time?"

"Loser has to treat the winner to chocolate ice cream after the game!" Hermione said with glee.

"Why chocolate? Mint is better." Bear said this matter-of-factly.

"Fine. Loser treats the winner to ice cream of any flavor."

"Deal."

The game began and the bear continued to bowl strike after strike. He was unstoppable and Hermione had to admit he was beyond good. The end score was 300-240. Bear won and he demanded his mint ice cream.


After the bear had been satisfied with ice cream, they bid each other goodnight and began to walk in opposite directions when Hermione thought of something…something rather intelligent.

She decided she would follow bear home and figure out his identity once and for all!

Sneaking behind him stealthily and slowly, they walked on for about ten minutes before arriving at a rather familiar-looking house. It was dark though and Hermione couldn't see it too clearly.

The bear entered the house and Hermione paused for a second, unsure of what to do.

Then Hermione casted a floating spell on herself and floated to the nearest window. There was no one inside. She floated herself to the window on the right side and stopped. There he was!

Slowly she lowered herself onto a tree branch by the window and waited. Minutes passed by and Hermione was close to falling asleep on the tree when finally the bear moved from his spot on the bed.

He unzipped the back of his bear costume and freed his chest and legs from the confines of the outfit.

Hermione could feel her breathing hitch. That chest and those abs…. It couldn't be. She watched in horror as the bear plucked off his head and revealed who he was.

To be continued…


Author's note:

Here I have a dilemma and I'm bringing it up to you readers out there. Please vote on this.

Should I:

a) Finish this story off in 1-2 chapters. (I hate to feel like I'm dragging a cow.)

b) Introduce a new twist and continue the story till there are 15 chapters.

Once again thank you guys for reading my story. =D