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Yes, it really is another update! And it got Viktor in it too! Well, read on and REVIEW!

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Chapter 5

It didn't take long for Hermione to give the letter to Pig. The owl adored her much to Charlie's irritation.

'That bloody thing hates everyone, I swear!' Hermione just shocked her head at that. She wondered what Charlie did to the bird that it went berserk every time it saw the wizard. Charlie refused to answer turning a brilliant shade of red that only a Weasley could pull off making Hermione even more curious.

As soon as the letter was sent off Charlie remembered that he needed to be somewhere and hurried off giving and apologetic smile in Hermione's direction (right after she asked about the owl for a second time.) it was amusing to watch him walk away trying not to run.

'A true Gryffindor, really...'

Not in a hurry Hermione turned back to her dormitory intending to find something light to read and curl in front of a warm fireplace.

As soon as Hermione entered her dorm room she noticed something odd. It was quiet. The silence by itself was nothing out of the ordinary. But what surprised Hermione was that her roommates were sitting in silence and looking at her standing in the doorway. Parvati and Lavender sitting in a room and not speaking? Were they sick? Why were they looking at her like this?

"Are you two ok?"

Suddenly as if understanding something important Lavender turned her attention back to Parvati.

"I don't care what Parkinson or anyone else says. She might not have a date, but she is smart!"

'Huh?' the topic of the conversation was lost on Hermione.

Parvati watched as Hermione slowly closed the door and walked to them before turning back to Lavender and shaking her head.

"No girl is smart when it comes to these things."

"I don't care, besides he is not her type."

"Excuse me! I am standing right next to you, if you haven't noticed! What you two are talking about?" finally she got her roommates attention.

"You might want to hex Parkinson the next time you'll see her."

"What? What for?" Hermione was totally confused. She was looking from one another trying to get a clue at what was going, seeing that her roommates decided to clear things up.

"Today after lunch we went to the loo on the ground floor and you will not believe what we heard Pansy Parkinson say!"

Just to be on a safe side Hermione sat down on her bed. It had to be good if it got her roommates all worked up.

"Try me."

"So we went to the loo and we heard Parkinson speak with a sixth year from Slytherin... what's her name? You know the one with fake eyelashes that look so..."

"Parkinson! Lavender. What did Parkinson say?"

"You still don't have a date, do you?"

"What that has to do with her?"

"Because she said that Flint was taking you!" Parvati whispered that leaning closer to Hermione as it was the biggest secret in existence while the brunette's jaw fell as low as was humanly possible.

After few chocked sounds Hermione regained her speech.

"What? She said what?!"

Parvati only shocked her head.

"I told you, Lavender, it was nonsense."

For some reason Hermione felt defensive at the statement.

"Because no one can be interested in me? Is that why? "

"Don't be silly! If you haven't noticed we are also dateless."

"What Lavender had in mind was that..." Parvati struggled to find suitable words for the situation. "I mean...Flint? He's... he is him, he is a Slytherin in one word. And you? A Gryffindor. It's just... no way. Am I making sense?"

"A little. What else did Parkinson say?"

"The usual. Insults. Gryffindor this, that and along the same road. Slytherins are the best and such. Oh and Flint have said that you are hot."

"Hot? He said that to Parkinson... about me? Is he insane?" Lavender looked at her suspiciously.

"Hermione, you are not with Flint, are you?"

"No! Of course not!"

"I hear a but coming."

Hermione sighed. They were like leeches when it came to gossip and such. They will not let her out of this room till they get it out of her. Besides it was not like there was anything to be ashamed of. So Flint tried to play a joke on her. He was surely not the first Slytherin that tried that.

"I want you two to swear that you will never. I mean never as in never ever and not neveras in till next Tuesday. Is that clear?" she looked at each of her roommates. They were boy crazed fashion chasers. They were not the best of friends, but did they get along pretty well. She always got support from them when she needed it even if they thought that she was crazy for spending all her time in the library and sneaking around the castle with Ron and Harry, getting in trouble all the time. They never reported her to McGonagall when her bed was still empty long after curfew. She just hoped that they could keep a secret. At least for a while.

"Well?" the two girls were getting impatient.

"I am not going with Flint..."

"You have said that already. But...?"

"He did ask me."

Silence.

"He did? Really? Are we talking about the same Marcus Flint?"

"Yes. Yes and Yes."

"And you said no? WHY?!"

Hermione leaned backwards from surprise her eyes wide.

"But you just said..."

Lavender cut her off.

"I know what I said! A guy asked you to the Ball! Who cares who he is! "

Parvati was just shocking her head sadly. "I would have said yes to him. I mean Lavender does have a point."

"That's the difference between you and me, Parvati. I don't let my desperation get the worse of me."

"I am not desperate."

"Keep telling yourself that." At that Parvati only glared at Hermione knowing that the girl was right, but unwilling to admit it.

"When did he ask you anyway?" Lavender tried to keep the conversation going so Parvati wouldn't go into hysterics about how unfair it all was.

"A while ago. Why?"

"Parkinson said that he was going to buy his robes this weekend."

"Maybe he is taking someone else. I am not the only girl in school after all."

"Did you say no to him when he asked you?"

"Of course I did! What do you take me for? Loud and clear... he didn't take quite take it for an answer, though..."

"He is an idiot."

"Say something new."

"He actually likes." Finally Parvati decided to come back into the conversation once she stopped sulking.

"No, he doesn't!" They were starting to sound like Ginny. Hermione could already imagine the younger girl giving her 'I told you so' look.

"Oh, yes he does! I have never heard of him asking any girl on a date or to any official event. All he has to do is snap his fingers and there is someone to tag along. On the Yule Ball all school will be there. It's the event of the year."

"I am still not going with him. What kind of idiot would go with him anyway?" she didn't want to think that Flint might actually like her.

"He is kind of hot."

"You sound like your sister, Parvati. Stop it. It's scary."

"You better be careful with him, Hermione. He is a slytherin after all and didn't like that you said no. " Lavender finally got her temper under control and now looked thoughtful which didn't suit her completely.

"I wish someone would ask me, even a Slytherin..."

"Head up, Parvati. We can always go together."

"Not in this lifetime, Lavender. "

Hermione stormed out of the common room angry like hell and close to tears. Ron could be so daft sometimes that it was not funny anymore. I can't check my own essay I' looking for a date!

"Argh!" never before she was so tempted to give him a pair of donkey ears and a tail to match along with a black eye.

In her anger Hermione went to the only place she could think of at the moment.

The library.

After crying a little hidden in of the corners Hermione finally calmed. She hated crying. It meant Ron's comments were getting to her. 'Why is he doing this? I am good for more things than getting in trouble with and checking his essays.' She slowly wiped her face with a napkin and looked around. Charms section. She didn't even notice where she was till now. Hermione looked around. No one. She frowned. Usually there were more people around this time of the evening. Then Hermione remembered something. It was Friday evening.

'How pathetic. I'm spending my Friday evening crying in a library.' She didn't feel like going back to the common room where he was no doubt sitting. 'If I am here I can as well read something.' Her eyes slowly drifting over the leather backs of the charm books'. Simple Charms in wandless magic, why they are not so simple after all. That sounded like it might be interesting. Carefully pulling the book out Hermione headed back to the front of the library where was more light.

Putting the book carefully on the table Hermione got comfortable. Maybe this was what she needed a little concentration on something else besides the Ball. Thinking about it was like a quicksand that pulls you in deeper the more you struggle. She tried clearing her head by taking a deep breath and closing her eyes for a minute.

'The Yule Ball is not something I can't live through. It is only a Ball like any other. I am above all that craziness. It is not a matter of life and death... just me dignity. God dam it.'

Ok, so it was not helping. The closer it was getting the more it was getting under her skin. It was like a rash when ever anybody mentioned the event. It was slowly driving her crazy and she did not even understand why.

'Oh, fine! I am waiting for it just like anyone else. And I will go there even alone. What can the slytherins say that I haven't heard before?! What can anyone tell me?! Nothing! They I can drop dead if they think that I will miss a Tri-Wizard Tournament's Ball because I'm afraid what they might say? Not in this life!'

Hermione tried a new approach to the situation. If she viewed it like a challenge of some sort, it was not so bad. She started to relax a bit. She will prove that she was above all those gossips flying around. Yes, that was it. It was much better this way.

After just staring at the open book for the last ten minutes Hermione finally started reading it.

The book wasn't half as interesting as she expected it to be. She spent an hour reading it hoping that it was going to get better. Not likely. Hermione rubbed her eyes with fingertips and stretched lazily. Her eyes drifting back to the book in front of her. Maybe she should read in a better mood. It was a more philosophical kind of reading. She bit her lip in concentration as she read the title and name of the author; she wanted to remember it the next time she was going to came.

The Gryffindor was shocked from her thoughts by a strange feeling at the back of her head. She was being watched. Hermione slowly lifted her head to survey her surroundings. A pair of Ravenclaws by the third table on her right that were already getting ready to leave, a Hufflepuff with his nose so deep in the book that Hermione couldn't say if he was reading or was asleep. And by a table across from her calmly sat Viktor Krum. Hermione's eyes widened for a sec. How did she miss him coming? Her eyes darted around in search of the cheer team. There was none. She blinked. That was it. No Herd of the Brainless. She was almost surprised. Not that she minded, god forbid, but they were always a step after him that no matter how irritated she was Hermione took it for a fact that Krum and them were like a package deal. Always together. She grimaced. Poor guy. Now that was a fate she didn't wish on anyone.

Hermione picked up her book and headed back to put it to its place leaving Krum to his reading. For a sec she thought that she caught him looking at her, but just pushed the idea out of her mind as ridiculous.

As Hermione finally wrestled the heavy book to its respected place she heard a polite cough from behind. Hermione suppressed a smile. 'He probably doesn't want to be assaulted with a book again.'

Surely enough behind her stood the Seeker. She did not even hear as he approached her.

"Hi. Can I help?"

"How do you know Petrov?"

Hermione was taken a little aback by the question.

"Petrov?" she repeated making sure that she has heard him right. Krum nodded. "Well... we met in the library the other day... talked. He is kind of nice." Hermione wasn't sure what she was supposed to say, but it seemed that it was not the answer that Krum was waiting for as his frown deepened even more.

'Did I say something wrong?' There was an unpleasant silence for a long minute as the Bulgarian was looking at her making Hermione nervous.

"You think Petrov nice?"

Krum was speaking slowly trying to pronounce every word correctly. Now it was time for Hermione to frown. What kind of question was it? She talked with the guy once, he was polite.

"We have exchanged few words and yes he was nice to me if that's what you're..."

"Granger?! Are you in there?"

Hermione froze with her mouth still open. This was not happening. What did Flint want from her?! And why now?! She looked around frantically looking for a place to hide. She was not talking to the slytherin if she could help it. The voice was getting closer and now she could even hear his footsteps as they echoed through the empty library.

"Your friend?" Hermione jumped a little as Krum spoke. She forgot about him in her panic. Looking at the Bulgarian Hermione silently shocked her head not risking speaking.

Krum reached for the bookshelf and pulled the first book that he touched. Hermione frowned at him.

'What is he doing?'

Without saying a word he turned around and now Hermione was facing his back.

'Oh my god, he is not going to leave me here alone with Flint, is he?!' Her heart was beating somewhere in the area of her ankles as Hermione stepped over her pride and took a step to Krum fully intending to beg him to stay, but instead she almost bumped into him as Viktor apparently wasn't intending to leave and just stood there. Hermione blushed deep red as she had to get a hold of his robes to steady herself. She was almost plastered to him.

'Oh, great. Why don't I just jump on him while I'm at it?' She was about to step away from him when she quickly reconsidered it. Hermione froze where she was standing not daring even to breath.

"Krum." Flint's voice didn't sound amused. The slytherin was clearly expecting to find someone else. "Have you seen a girl around here? Brown bushy hair, blue jumper?" Flint being a Quidditch payer Hermione expected him to act around Krum a bit like Ron, but it was not the case and Flint's voice sounded cold and irritated as if he was angry at the Bulgarian for something.

Hermione didn't move from behind Krum and was very glad that he had such a wide shoulders, long robes and was a head taller than her. She was hiding behind him like behind a wall. She could feel as Krum shock his head.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"No girl here." Now Krum also sounded as if he was irritated. She could almost feel as Flint glared at him.

"Just great." Without as much as goodbye Flint walked away muttering to himself. "She must be back to her dorm, damn it."

Hermione and Krum stood still for couple of more minutes till they were sure that Flint have left.

'Thank you, God...' the girls tensed body relax as she thanked whatever gods were on her side this time... and of course she was grateful to Krum too. Hermione tensed suddenly. Her brain started working normally again and just pointed out that she was griping Krum's robes and resting her forehead between his shoulder blades. She pushed back from him so suddenly that almost fell over.

'How the hell I always get myself in such situations?'she shocked her head. She was almost all over him.

"Vho was dat?" Was it just her or Krum's accent got a bit stronger? He was still standing with his back to her, looking in the direction Flint went to.

"That? It was Marcus Flint... He is in slytherin."

"I knov who he is! Vhy he looked for you?" Krum turned around sharply and now was facing Hermione. He looked angry.

"That's... That's none of your concern." She was not going to explain herself about Flint to Krum of all people.

"I helped you."

Hermione's jaw dropped a little. Was he having a guilt trip down her conscience? She stared at his face. He was. She couldn't believe it. He was still looking at her with those knitted eyebrows fully expecting an explanation. If he hadn't helped her god knows what kind of conversation she would be having with Flint now.

"He just..."

"Yes?"

"Why do you care anyway?"

"I asked first."

Now Hermione was the one who scowled at him. Why was he so interested? She felt suddenly tired. It was late and she wanted to go back to her dorm. Instead of being on her way to her warm cosy slytherin free room she was talking about Flint with Viktor Krum. He must be just as pathetic as her if he spends his Friday evening in the library too. She looked at him again. He looked determined. Maybe he was just curious. Besides whom he was going to tell? One of his friends, that didn't even know that she exist? Well, maybe except Petrov. She sighed.

"He wants to ask me to the Ball, but there is no way that I will go with him. I will rather go alone; in that case no one will ruin my evening." The last part Hermione whispered to herself, but it was still loud enough for Krum to hear. Krum looked a bit surprised.

"You have no partner?"

Hermione could feel her cheeks flame up.

"Not everyone has admires falling at their feet, you know. Now if you'll excuse me."

Hermione wanted to walk past him, but an arm blocked her way. Surprised she looked at Krum's face. It was strangely neutral. She squirmed under his dark eyes.

"You not have ... a companion? No?"

Hermione bit her lip and lowered her eyes to his broad chest.

"Why do you care?"

"Yes or no?"

""No! I don't have a date for that stupid Ball!" Loosing her patience Hermione tugged at his sleeve trying to get the arm out of her way. The material of the uniform felt softer to the touch than she have expected. She gave a couple of hard tugs but the obstacle didn't bulge from its place angering the witch.

"What is wrong with you?"

"Why?"

"You are in my way!"

"No. I mean why no date?"

"Because nobody asked! Satisfied?"

"You have no one?"

"Pardon?"

"Friend? No. Boyfriend? Companion?"

"Do you think I would be hiding here if there were a boyfriend?"

"Good."

Hermione even hiccupped in outrage. Have he hear a word she said? How in the world could it possibly be good?!

"What? How dare you...Do you understand? ... No date is bad, not good!"

Krum glared at her.

"I understand. And it is good."

She just stood there looking at him. He was mental. That was it. The fame finally cracked his scull open and the sanity ran away. The seeker cleared his throat under Hermione disbelieving stare and took a deep breath.

"I wanted to ask you..." he seemed to falter on words. "I been meaning to ask you... will you do me the honour of accompanying me to the Yule Ball?" The boy finished the sentence in one deep slow breath as if he had been practising it.

Hermione just stood there before him not knowing what to say.

"You want me to go with you?" she asked it just to make sure that she heard it right.

"yes." Krum removed the hand that was blocking her way.

"Ok."

She wasn't quite sure where that answer came from for she had mind to tell him no. Her tongue was abnormally heavy.

Krum suddenly grinned widely making Hermione even more confused. She wasn't used to such situations or to boy smiling at her like that as if she just made him the happiest person on the planet.

"Good."

Her brain was spinning like mad. So that what it was like when a boy asked you out. It was... nice. It was strange and nice and confusing at the same time. She couldn't look at his face suddenly feeling embarrassed. Her eyes were fixed on his chest.

"I should be going... It's late." Still she stood in place mesmerised by those big buttons that kept his robe closed. She couldn't come up with a single intelligent thing to say right now. Her brain seemed to be full of wool. She tilted her head to look at his face again. He looked younger when he smiled

"I go back... also. It is late."

"Yes."

"I will go. Hermiownee.".

"It's Hermione."

"Hermionee?"

She smiled at him.

"Close enough."

Suddenly he bowed to her clicking his heals.

"Thank you. Have a good night."

"Good night... Viktor."

With one more little smile at her Viktor turned around and left leaving Hermione alone and confused between books that this time did not hold the answers to her questions.

'I can't believe what just happened.'

Well? How was it? Maybe a Review?