Chapter 13: A Dragon and a Bleeding Heart

The day of the first task came and I was nervous as hell. Nikki often teased me that it seemed like I was the one facing the dragon. Edmond owled me (in code, of course) that Viktor already knew --- through Karkaroff. Nikki found out the dragons' (in general) weakness --- what part of a dragon has no scales at all and is very vital? --- the eyes. I relayed it to Edmond. I just wished Viktor wouldn't end up with the Horntail.

"Hurry up! We're gonna be late!" Ianthé called out to Nikki, who's still in the dorm room.

Nikki ran out and they both sped to the area where the tournament will be held.

"I wanted to see him right before the match…"

Nikki laughed at her, "Tell me, do you really think I would buy the 'we just connected and became great friends' story of yours?"

Ianthé rolled her eyes, "Whatever… Now, come on!"

I never saw him before the match. Viktor did follow Edmond's advice and hit the eyes of the dragon with the Conjunctivitus curse. However, the dragon trampled her own eggs so it lowered his over-all point. Darn it! Poor Harry got the Horntail. I must say, he's quite brilliant when he Summoned his broom and used his strength in flying. Nikki kept wincing every time the dragon breathed fire; I kept cheering. The twins held a betting poll, frankly, it was pretty nice business. Viktor and I got the chance to exchange glances and smiles after the match.

"Did you just blush?" Nikki turned at me and looked at Ianthé's face.

"What?" Ianthé consciously put her hands on her cheeks, they indeed felt really warm, "It's nothing…"

Nikki scoffed, "Nothing my foot… You blushed when Krum smiled at you!"

Ianthé shrugged.

"Welcome to the club!" Nikki placed her arm around Ianthé's shoulder.

"What club?"

"The giggly girls' club. You are officially a member, you know?"

They both left to celebrate with Amandine and Edmond.

Now the first task is over, there is another problem yet to be solved --- the Yule Ball. Of course, I don't want to be the one to ask, but I do know who I want to ask me. He owled me at the precise moment.

Ianthé,

Meet me near the large tree by the lake at five o'clock this afternoon.

Viktor

"Guess who might get asked by a champion to the Yule Ball?" Ianthé whispered to Nikki while studying in the library.

Nikki snatched the letter and read it, "This is pretty amazing! We need Andy's help."

"So, what am I going to do again?" Amandine rubbed her palms as she, Nikki and Ianthé faced the vanity mirror in the Ravenclaw fourth year dorm room.

Nikki's brows furrowed, "Make her look pretty."

"What for? She is already pretty…"

"Make her pretty for the one who might ask her for the Yule Ball…"

"Oh…" Amandine nodded.

"What about you? Who are you going with?" Ianthé asked Amandine pointedly.

"Edmond."

Nikki and Ianthé both looked at her, "What!"

Amandine looked at them, "We are of the same age, and it's for inter-school communication…"

"Yeah right…" Ianthé laughed at her.

"Are we going to make you over or what?"

I walked on the grounds of the school. Yes, I did wear a bit of make-up, because Nikki and Andy forced me to. I saw him standing behind the large tree near the bank of the lake. I smiled as I walked towards him.

"I thought you didn't get my letter. I never received a response from you," Viktor spoke.

"I was too excited to see you." Ianthé smiled widely.

"I need to tell you about something."

This is it! Yes! Yes! Yes!

"Sure. What is it about?" Ianthé plopped down a large rock, while Viktor sat beside her.

He held her hand, "It's about the Yule Ball."

Okay, Ianthé. Inhale, exhale… inhale, exhale…

"Uh-huh…."

"How am I going to ask a girl out to the Ball?"

Oh dear… Here it goes…

"Tell her directly. I mean, you are Viktor Krum, the youngest pro-Quidditch player… How can she turn you down?"

"She's not like those other girls. She's very bright and she doesn't seem to care if I'm popular or not."

Of course, you became my close friend even before you were popular! Just say it!

"Who is this mystery girl we're talking about?"

"Herm… Hermoni Granger… I couldn't pronounce her name that well….."

The smile on my face slid off like slime. I knew who exactly he was talking about. Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor know-it-all, my classmate in both Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. I felt betrayed. I couldn't move from the cold surface I sat on. I wanted to shout and hit him but I couldn't even move a finger.

"Ianthé, are you okay?"

"I better get back. I have many homework to do."

I ran as fast as I could. I have to get away from him.

Author's note: I have "filtered" Viktor Krum's accent because (1) It's hard to understand, and (2) it's hard to make his lines. Just make do with your imagination! Shout out to Sakurajen! Thanks for the review!