Chapter 4

"Everything will be fine, Harry."

"How do you know that, Ron?"

"I don't, but I and Hermione will make sure of it."

There was a soft laugh. It was good to hear Harry laugh, these days it happened very rarely.

"Thanks, mate. I needed that."

"Anytime. Talking of time. It is a good time to head for the Great Hall and grab something to eat."

"Lead the way, Ron."

"How 'Mione can spend here so much time is beyond me. She must be mental."

Hermione bit her lip and stayed hidden in the shadows. She was just looking for them when she heard Ron talking from somewhere near her. She didn't mean to eavesdrop; she just didn't want to interrupt. 'Idiot.' was easy to tell that it was not the time to make an appearance and it was not because Ron was talking rubbish. But because Ron was doing a remarkably good job at keeping Harry's spirit up. It was a little bit surprising but at the same time so... natural.. Well they were friends for four years after all. Hermione was glad that Ron finally got over himself and understood that Tri-Wizard Tournament was not a walk in a park more like the Forbidden Forest. Besides who even named it TRI-Wizard Tournament if that overheated dish could pick as many contestants as it liked. It should have been named N-wizard Tournament if they asked her.

"Be glad she spends all that time in here. It is one of the reasons why we are still alive."

'Thank you, Harry.'

"Yeah. You might be right. But let's go, I'm starving."

"You are always starving, Ron."

"Oh, shut it."

Hermione caught a glimpse of the two as they made their way out of the library. They passed by and she moved back not to be spotted. There was no need for them to see her. Fallowing their backs with thoughtful eyes Hermione smiled softly as the heavy doors of the library closed with a barely audible sound.

Sometimes she wondered what held them together. They were so different. Hermione Jane Granger. Bossy little know-it-all. Muggleborn witch always with too much to say.

Ronald Bilius Weasley. Hot tempered, short sighted, Quiddich crazed boy with the ability to make another person furious without even trying.

Harry James Potter. His name was put to the history books when he was still in diapers. Shy and closed. Always in some kind of trouble that was never his fault. Has a bad case of a 'hero' complex.

Brain temper and heart. It seemed that heaven gave them all something too much and in order to keep the balance they had to stay together.

Friends.

Hermione still had a hard time understand how it happened. The girl frowned. Well, ok, on the other hand not such a hard time. Because there was that 'Locked up with a troll and saved' part of the story.

Hermione's lips twitched .She never liked Halloween. Besides too much sweets was bad for you. Not to mention trolls... or getting the last ingredient to a very complicated potion wrong.

She sighed and shocked her head. Her mind slowly coming back from the high philosophy heaven to the most resent and more pressing topics such like the TRI-Wizard tournament and of course the upcoming event of the winter. The Yule Ball.

The Gryffindor grimaced. Another stupid invention. Of course it's inceptor, 'some old goat no doubt.' Hermione made a face again, had the best intentions in mind. 'Well mannered triviality, my ass.' A witch didn't care it was well or not so well mannered if she didn't have a date for it. The embarrassment of going alone was just the same. And unfortunately for Hermione she found herself in such a situation. Well... almost if you didn't count Flint that is.

Being so lost in her thoughts Hermione didn't notice that she was not alone.

"Vel, boys are boys."

"Yes." It took Hermione another good minute to understand that thought was voiced out by someone else and not herself. She sucked in a sharp breath. Somebody was standing behind her. Trying not to make sudden movements the Gryffindor turned around. She just hoped that it was none of the slytherins. She hated snakes and that was not because of the incident in her second year. Her hand instinctively went for her wand while keeping her head high and hoping that her face was saying 'don't mess with me' instead of 'I'm very much scared right now'.

The person standing behind her was a surprise. Letting out a breath that she was holding. It was not a slytherin. But just in case she still held into her wand.

"Excuse me?"

"You are a ... Gryff? No?"

"If you mean Gryffindor, yes I am." Hermione stood just a little bit straighter saying this. She was proud of her House and let it show.

"Gryffindor? Yes?"

"Yes."

It was one of the Dumstrang students. He usually sat with Krum at meals. Not that she looked, mind you. It was just a general observation. God knows, Ron probably can describe every single person that sat left, right and across from the famous seeker from the day he came to Hogwarts.

Like all the Dumstrang boys... well, all Dumstrang students that came to Hogwarts could be safely qualified into 'men' category. All tall and broody. Well, not all broody, but all sure were tall.

"I scare you?"

Why some people had to point out the obvious? It always made her want to say the opposite. She looked him strait in the eyes.

"No. Why are you here?"

Hermione was looking suspiciously at him. 'He better not be spying on Harry!' The boy blinked and looked at her if she just said something very stupid.

"Me? Hiding." Before Hermione could ask from whom the guy was hiding from, not far away from them voices could be heard. High pitched and annoyingly giggly. The first thought for Hermione was to gag. 'They are like vultures after fresh meat... Merlin...'

The Dumstrang student in question pressed himself into the bookshelf as if wanting to blend with it. It was a bit of a funny sight. Such a big teen hiding from few girls. But Hermione just shocked her head sadly. Like a friend of Harry who had his own fan club. She could understand the situation at hand.

"Never mind."

"And you?"

"What?"

"Hiding?"

Hermione stared at him blankly. He had the same IQ level as Ron. 'Library is not only meant for naps. Surprised?'

"No, I am not hiding." What was she doing actually? That was a good question. She wasn't hiding. Technically. Right? "I just didn't want to be spotted. The boys were... having a moment." He nodded at this most likely like her have heard the end of conversation between Ron and Harry.

"Da. Do you think those..." He shrugged in the direction where the voices were coming from few min ago. For some strange reason Hermione had a feeling that he didn't finish the sentence not because of his broken English but because he didn't want to insult her as he, not like some people that Hermione knew, have spotted a rather obvious fact that she also was girl.

"Cows?" Hermione helpfully supplied a word that from her point of view perfectly described the wondering bunch of brainless creatures.

Hermione's fellow in hiding frowned over the word not understanding it. His cheeks went a little pink from embarrassment at the fact that he did not understand what sounded like a rather simple word. Differently to popular believe Hermione didn't mind the fact that The Dumstrang students had an accent or that they sometimes were struggling to express themselves in what, if she had read it right, was their second foreign language first being German and of course there was always their native one. So as a person who spoke only English Hermione was not yet big enough of a hypocrite to frown upon someone who spoke in three. Sure she corrected Ron and Harry on many occasions, but they were supposed to speak better that that.

"Vot?"

"The girls. Never mind."

The guy frowned even deeper from embarrassment, hair falling onto his eyes as he did so. With slight curiosity Hermione noted that it was most likely not required to cut hair short for them after all.

"Sorry my English."

"It's ok. Trust me, I have heard worse."

"Think they are gone?"

Hermione peaked carefully from behind a stack of books.

"Looks like it. But if you want I can check."

"Yes. Please. Ms...?"

"Hermione Granger."

"Ms Granger."

Hermione wrinkled her nose at the sound of it. It was all well and good when your Professor was calling you that, but when it was someone around your own age. It sounded...

"It sounds like you are mocking me. Don't call me Ms. Just Hermione will do."

"Hermiowwn...hermioneee.. hermany... Can I call you just Granger? Please?" Hermione winced every time he tried to say her name. He wasn't even close. In this case calling her by her second name did sound like a reasonable solution. She nodded. Besides it was unlikely that they were going to speak again anytime soon if ever.

"Well, ok."

"Thank you and my name is Sergey Petrov. You can call me Sergey or Petrov if you like. "

"As you call me by my second name, I think I'll do the same." She smiled and went to look if any lost fan girls were still around. To her mind that was unlikely as it looked as they were not capable of existing apart from the herd of just as giggly friends. After few min she was back. "They are gone."

"I vill go than. It vos nice to meet you, Granger."

"The same for me. Just next time don't go around scaring people like this. Ok? You might find yourself hexed if you're not careful."

Petrov just grinned sheepishly before making his way towards the exit.

It was the day of the week that Hermione like d the most and no it was not Monday to everyone's surprise. It was Friday. As much as she loved to study she also enjoyed her rest after it. Now looking forward to two days of relaxation (all necessary study for the upcoming week done) Hermione stretched lazily on the common room's sofa, a book resting on her lap. Nothing helped her relax more that some light reading for her own pleasure.

"'Mione! You're ready?" Hermione almost fell from the sofa as a voice boomed next to her.

"It's Hermione, Ronald. And yes I am ready. Where is Harry?"

"Waiting for us outside. Come on lets go or we gonna be late."

Hermione rolled her eyes while putting the coat on. Ron was already dressed and ready to go. 'That's a first. I wonder what's up.' The amber eyed girl could help, but be suspicious. The only things that Ron was ever on time were meals and fights with slytherins. Not that that he did badly on his studies. Not at all. Those countless near death experiences did miracles to one's inspiration to study. There is nothing like keeping yourself alive.

Speaking of surviving. Hagrid somehow managed to talk the boys into having a better look at the dragons. How it happened Hermione couldn't say as at that moment she was not present to voice out the potential dangers of such an idea. Ron's agreement Hermione could blame on temporary insanity due to a possible close proximity of a veela or a simple sibling rivalry, maybe Ron was thinking only with one third of his brain (again because of a veela) didn't want to admit to Charlie that he was scared of those things. What Hermione wanted to know was how Harry has agreed to that after seeing one of those things from really really close. It was truly beyond her.

Or maybe not. To mind came the half giant's big hopeful eyes. After saying no to him you felt worse that after kicking a puppy.

'I swear, one of these days one of his pets will have us for dinner... as an appetiser.'

Of course being such a wonderful friends Ron and Harry did not forget to volunteer her for the noble task also, as a company for them.

Hermione groaned under her breath while fallowing Ron out through the portrait hall.

Dragons truly were fascinating creatures. At least that was what all her books and Hagrid said. Swallowing nervously Hermione watched as her two best friends came closer to the area where the dragons were held and their keepers could be seen walking around.

"Are you sure about it, Charlie?" Hermione could feel the hair on her neck stand up and she was sweating slightly. The red haired man looked at her curiously and shocked his head.

"For a Gryffindor you sure are easy to ...Awww! What was that for?!" At that moment Charlie sounded just like Ron. He was scowling darkly at the girl and rubbing the spot on his arm where she pinched him painfully.

Hermione rolled her eyes not even turning her head to look at him. Weasley boys were childish no matter how old they were.

"Charles, do try not to be a brat for a change."

"Are you calling me childish, Ms a-year-older-than-my-little-sister. Have i got that right, 'Mione?"

Finally Hermione looked at him and raised a brow. Charlie coughed. Ok, maybe angering her was not a very good idea.

"Yes, I am sure... you little annoying ..." but he just couldn't resist. He was having too much fun.

"For the sake of your limbs I suggest you not to finish this sentence, Charles."

"Don't call me Charles!"

She didn't even bother to answer to that as her eyes went back to small figures of Ron an d harry that were slowly walking besides Hagrit. She was also supposed to go with them but Charlie insisted her to stay with him for a talk. He was worried about Harry and wanted to know how the younger boy was coping.

"Don't call me 'Mione then."

"Fine. you can stop looking at them as if they will drop dead any time soon. They are not coming that close the dragons. They will just look where they are kept and Hagrit will talk with other Keepers. Besides they volunteered to go."

"They would most likely drink Neville's potions if he asked, but that doesn't mean that you should let them."

"You are paranoid."

Hermione watched as suddenly flames spread from tree top to tree top fallowed by a terrible roar. She could see Ron and Harry hurrying away from the burning wood accompanied by the half giant. It was truly amazing how far a dragon fiery breath reached. After sighting with relieve that her friends were ok Hermione turned to the older Weasley.

"You were saying?"

"You are too smart for your age."

"I will take it as compliment."

"You will not tell it to our mum, will you?"

"No."

"I need a dragon fang and same tail scales also few drops of dragon saliva."

"Brat." He really should have seen it coming.

"I will take it tomorrow after noon."

"Deal."

Hermione laughed suddenly.

"Let's go, Charlie, Time to listen to Ron whining about how I didn't talk them out of this completely stupid idea."

Thankfully no one was injured much to Hermione relieve. It also complete cooled down the boys eagerness to help Hagrit with anything that involved dragons.

She watched with amusement as Ron nursed his bruised pride with a cup of tea. He ran the fastest of the three as soon as the dragon roared, not that Hermione blamed him.

Charlie nudged her to the side.

"Lets go, Hermione. You have promised to help me with that bloody bird."

The girl sighed. She didn't want to go. Hagrit's hut was warm and dry making her forget about the rain outside, but she have promised. She glanced at Charlie as Ron started snickering which earned him a glare from his older brother.

"I'll just finish the tea and we can go."

Hermione smiled as Charlie scowled at her. They were going to the owlery. Not that he needed help getting there, oh no, He knew the way very well. 'The bird' was the problem or rather an owl known as Pigwigeon. She snickered. For some unknown reason the owl hated Charlie with a passion. The poor guy couldnt even get close to the little grey thing without being scratched. Of course he could use any other owl belonging to the school to send his mother a letter, but the problem was that when Mrs Weasley find out that he was having a problem with Pig she demanded him to fix it, which he didn't do which resulting in asking somebody else to give his letter to the bloody owl to be delivered to his mother as she has demanded.

It was one big head ache for Charlie. At least Hermione didn't laugh her head of like his little sister did when he asked her about it.

"Let's go, Hermione."

He watched as Hermione looked thru the window and wrinkled her nose seeing as it still raining slightly. She looked very cute as she did so. He looked at his little brother he was not looking at her chatting with Hagrit and Harry instead. God he was so oblvious to the world around him.

They left soon. Hermione was not too happy to leave the warmth of the hut behind her to make the long way to the owlery, but at least the rain finally stopped.

She was walking behind Charlie holding into his hand as the steps leading up were narrow and slippery from the rain. She wasn't in the mood to wake up at the bottom of them after a long flight down.

They were still speeking about how horrible the weather have gotten as the weekend finally came as Charlie suddenly stopped making Hermione to bump into him in surprise as she was walinh close behind him.

"What the..? Charlie? What's wrong?"

'What is the matter with him?' Hermione carefully peaked from behind him. Somebody was coming down. Dumstrang students. Three of them. Krum and two of his friends if she was not mistaken.

"Can you move already, Charlie? They are not that close yet."

"Don't you know who he is?"

Somehow she refrained from kicking him. She completely forgot that all of the Weasley boys were Quidditch crazed.

"Just move."

"Don't you..."

"No. If you are not moving let me pass."

Hermione pushed pass him just s the trio came into the ear shot. It really was Krum and also Petrov with some other guy.

Upon seeing her Petrov smiled widely.

Not for the first time Hermione noticed how grim their uniforms were looking, but she figured they had to be really warm. She unintentionally readjusted her own coat and smiled as Petrov was now standing in front of her.

"Hello, Granger."

"Petrov." She smiled warmly at him. Doing that Hermione noticed that Krum's frown deepened.

'I hope he doesn't think that i am being rude.' Just in case she gave a little smile to him too.

"Hi."

"'Mione, now you are holding up the traffic." She didn't notice as Charlie caught up with her.

"It's Hermione, Charles."

Few locks of her hair fell into her eyes.

"Grow up, Charlie."

Petrov winked at her and gave a wicked smile.

"Can not keep hands of you? No?"

Hermione rolled her eyes.

"No. Can you let me pass or will you stand all day like this?"

Petrov still grinning moved aside.

"Haff a nice day."

"You too."

Krum and the other boy said nothing as she and Charlie passed them. As soon as they were out of the ear shot Charlie hissed at her.

"You know Viktor Krum? How? Why didn't you tell me?"

As all good friends Charlie could be really irritating sometimes.

"I met him in the library and I don't know him. We just talked once." 'After I had almost killed him.'

"And the other guy?"

"Well... we just also talked only once... in the library."

"You know the library have gotten an awfully interesting place to hang around after I left." He wiggled a brow at her.

"Just shut up, Charles."

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