"Where is she?" Viktor asked walking through a corridor to see Jamous moving towards him his notebook in hand.
"She disappeared into the library." Jamous said. "One second she was standing there another second poof she's gone like weavle."
"Weavel?" Viktor asked.
"Yes you know the song poof goes weasel." He said in Bulgarian.
"It's pops goes the weasel." Viktor said.
"Are you sure?" Jamous asked. "I was sure it was-."
"Jamous where was she standing when she disappeared?" Viktor asked.
"Would you two stop bothering me!" Hermione shouted backing out of a corridor just next to them. Both turned to see her walking away only to be dragged back in by two identical red heads
"She wasn't standing there." Jamous said with a tilt of his head.
"Did you even ask Harry for his cloak!?" Hermione asked as she came out once more.
"Come on Mione we need your help!" Fred said.
"Would you like us to drop to our knees and beg because Fred would gladly do that for you!" George said.
"I'm not begging to no one!" Fred shouted.
"You two just leave me be." Hermione said pulling her hand from George's.
"Come on Hermione-."
"Did you ever think the reason why you two can't figure out how to steal the cup is because you're not meant to?" Hermione asked.
"If that was so then why would you be able to?" George asked.
"Yes, if it wasn't meant to happen to us then why would you be able to do it?" Fred asked.
"Because fate would know I wouldn't attempt something so stupid no matter how easy it is." Hermione said before turning to see Viktor and Jamous looking at her.
"Whoa… Viktor Krum…" Fred said slapping George in his chest to make sure he looked. Hermione was about to yell for them not to bother him when they both jumped on a bench.
"GO IRISH!" They shouted at the same time. "Bulgarians suck!"
"Oh honestly…" Hermione muttered before heading down the corridor Viktor frowned at the twins before following Hermione.
"Yeah walk away!" George yelled.
"No wonder the Irish kicked his butt in the finals!" Fred said slapping his brother in the chest with a laugh. Both boys looked to see Jamous and two other boys behind them with fowl looks on their faces.
"Would you mind repeating that for my freindz here?" Jamous asked.
"Oh sure." Fred said while George thumbed the invisibility cloak behind them. Both jumped to the ground and cleared their throats before jumping back on the bench.
"GO IRISH!" They shouted once more. "Bulgarians suck!"
"Then Hermione went…" Fred cleared his throat. "Oh honestly…" he said in an overly high voice.
"And she walked off while Krum walked off in same direction." George explained.
"Which is when George here said…"
"Yeah walk away! which is when Fred said…"
"No wonder the Irish kicked his butt in the finals!" Fred slapped George in the chest like before.
"Which is when these very burly looking blokes behind you showed up and you said-."
"We are caught up…" Jamous muttered with an even angrier expression. Fred and George jumped onto the ground.
"Are you sure because we can do it again for you…" Fred said before him and George jumped up on the bench. "Watch." He said.
"GO IRISH!" they shouted together.
"Get them!" Jamous bellowed. Fred and George jumped up and over the approaching Bulgarians and began to run both throwing on the invisibility cloak and disappearing into thin air.
"Where did they go?" one of the other Bulgarian boys asked.
"I don't-." Jamous felt a sharp slap to the back of his head.
"Bulgarians suck!" they heard someone yell before hearing fast retreating footsteps with the sounds of loud laughter coming with it.
-O-
Viktor walked into the library where he had seen Hermione disappear into. It was nearly empty due to it being the weekend. He was lucky in the fact the only people that were in the library were older boys who wouldn't giggle and bother him for an autograph. He rounded many corners until he got to the very back to find Hermione settled down in a soft chair her nose buried in a book with her knees pulled to her chest slightly.
"Miney…" he attempted her nick name with no luck at all. "Hallo…" he said with an embarrassed look.
"Hello…" she said softly.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine." she said not looking up from her book. "Just angry, Fred and George keep dragging me off to help them steal the cup, it's ridiculous…"
"They are characters." He said with a small smile.
"Yeah…" she muttered.
"What is it you are reading?" he asked.
"Watership down… It's about rabbits." She said.
"Muggle book?"
"No it was written by a wizard… A muggleborn so I guess in a way though…" Hermione said her voice trailing off slightly. Viktor stuffed his hands deep into his pockets as he rocked back onto his heels and forward again. He didn't know what to say he could see she was upset.
"I'm sorry for what head master said."
"No its fine…" Hermione stated as she got up and headed down an aisle of books. Viktor blinked before running to keep up.
"No its not." He said as he followed her up a stair case.
"No it really is." She said as if he were crazy.
"I can tell when you are upset." He said taking her arm and gently wheeling her around to face him.
"I'm-."
"Please do not say you are fine when you are clearly not…" She sighed heavily.
"Look I'm… Indifferent I don't care what he said."
"But you do…" He said cupping her cheek. "Please talk to me…"
"I just don't like it when adults call me that name… I can handle it from mindless school children but not from adults especially those who were once death eaters…" Hermione said.
"It bothers you when Malfoy says it as well." Viktor said softly, Hermione pulled her arm away from his grasp quickly making him jump. He saw a flash of extreme anger over her expression before disappearing.
"No it doesn't." Hermione said before walking away.
"It does so; I've seen the rage in your eyes whenever he says it."
"I'm angry not because of the name but because of how sick I am of hearing it." Hermione muttered. "Every day its mud blood this mud blood that, it's downright irritating."
"Maybe so but it hurts as vell."
"Would you please not do that…" she said.
"Not do what Worry about your feelings?" he asked following her. "I thought this is what vomen look for in companion."
"Well it is, but-."
"But what?"
"It's unnerving." She said turning and looking to him. "No one else can do that, not even my own mother." She said. "It's not right how easily you just dive into my emotions…" she looked at him closely. "You don't have the power of emotional receptiveness do you?"
"What?" he asked. "Does any wizard haf that capability?"
"Not sense 1563…" she said eyeing him. "Though I've come to believe Dumbledore might be able to do it but that's just a hunch…" she said.
"Well I am not I just know when you're upset."
"How?" she asked still suspicious.
"That's for me to know and for you to never find out." He said with a smile, when she didn't return the expression he frowned. "Why does it bother you so? Shouldn't you like this ability?"
"No." she said. "I mean… Yes. I mean…" she groaned slightly before walking off.
"Luff why do you keep walking away from me?" he asked following her into one of the study rooms.
"Because, I don't like this conversation." She said. "It's going in circles."
"Only because you keep avoiding questions…" he said closing the door.
"Fine Viktor does it hurt my feelings whenever someone has the gull to call me a mud blood of course it does. Is that so bad?" she asked. "Is it so terrible to not want to be called filthy, dirty, or un worthy… Do I know that it's stupid I get upset whenever someone says it of course I do but I can't help it. I can't help but feel like this when someone says I'm un worthy of being in this world. How dare they even say that? If anyone is worthy to be in the magical world it is muggle borns because we have to fight and work harder than anyone else to earn respect in this community. I'm not insecure, I'm just angry. I'm angry that even after all I have done and everything I have risked for this world people like Malfoy and your head master have the gull to say the things they do to me! To call me a mudblood. To deny me the respect I have worked so hard to deserve. To make me feel that even after all my hard work and everything I have done I'm still un worthy to them. Its so bloody unfair!" Her words flew out quickly so quickly Viktor had almost had trouble catching up with her English. After mauling over her words and understanding each thing he looked up to see her moving through the bookshelves of the room quite quickly. Her cheeks were tinted red while she glared into each book she looked at. He walked over to her and turned her so they could face each other.
"Luff…" he said softly. When she didn't look to him he tilted her chin up to make her do so.
"It's just… I'm tired of having to fight for approval…" She said her voice barely above a whisper.
"I vill never know what you've gone through, and I cannot begin to sympathize. But I tell you this now; don't you ever dare think you're not worthy enough to be in this world because you are. Everyone is entitled to their place this includes you. Damn anyone to hell who thinks otherwise." He cupped her cheek with his hand and smiled down at her. "You're going to change their minds Hermione, you're going to change every ones minds… You… You are going to change this world for the better… You are going to do extraordinary things Hermione Granger… Soon everyone is going to realize because of you… that Blood status... Has nothing to do with a witch or wizards Merit." Hermione smiled softly up at him her eyes wet with unshed tears. She had needed that. She had needed someone to remind her that not only did many think she belonged but she had a purpose.
"Thank you Viktor…" she said softly as he took her in his arms.
"Whoa." Hermione looked to see Ginny in the door way.
"Ginny come back later okay?" Hermione asked as she snuggled into Viktor.
"Uh… alright…" Ginny slowly backed away before Hermione looked up at a wide eyed Viktor who she smiled at her before she jumped.
"Ginny!" she shouted running out after her and dragging her back into the room and closing the door behind her. "Is Ron and Harry with you?" she asked.
"What? No. Is that Viktor Krum?" she asked wide eyed looking from Hermione to the broad shouldered Bulgarian who waved lightly.
"Hallo." He said with a smile.
"What did you see?" Hermione asked.
"A hug, just a hug a very very very… Very friendly hug. Is that Viktor Krum?" she asked again.
"Yes now focus Ginny." Hermione snapped her fingers. "You can't tell anyone what you saw today…"
"But my best friend is getting her snogg on with Viktor Krum this is way too good to not spread!" Ginny said bouncing. "And by the way how'd you nab you're self a Quidditch star athlete and does he have any friends possibly?" Ginny asked.
"Ginny…" Hermione said in a warning tone.
"Right right focusing…" Ginny said still staring at Viktor who looked a little uncomfortable under the young witches gaze.
"Are you really focusing?"
"Mhm…" Ginny said looking to Viktor.
"Oh my god gin its Harry and he has a huge sign that says marry me Ginny!" Hermione yelled pointing towards the closed door.
"Sign mhm…" she said. "Wait what!?" she bounced and looked towards the door with a great huge smile that soon turned down into a small scowl as she looked to Hermione. "That was mean."
"Well you weren't focusing… You can't tell anyone about Viktor and I."
"So there is a you and Viktor." Ginny said with a smile.
"Viktor is standing here." He said a little irritated.
"Yes hi I see you…" Ginny said waving. "Is he real?"
"Of course he's real gin it's not like I transfigured him out of a book case." Hermione said.
"You did didn't you?" Ginny asked. "That's impressive right there that is!" She walked over to Viktor and touched his chest. "You've got the muscles down and everything." Viktor grabbed her hand and shook his finger at her.
"Please stop your molestation." Viktor said.
"Say do you think you can transfigure one of these book shelves into Harry because that could be a really fun time." Ginny said looking over her shoulder at Hermione.
"Ginny he's as real as…" she looked up in thought nothing come to mind. "Look he's real." Hermione said. Hermione slowly looked back to Viktor who nodded at her. Ginny jumped back.
"I am so sorry!" She said.
"Is fine." He said with a smile.
"This is great! Why can't I tell anyone? I mean Hermione if this got out you would be the coolest and most hated girl in school." Ginny said excitedly.
"And that sounds good to you?"
"Bloody right it does." Ginny said.
"Ginny…"
"I won't tell I promise but… How did this happen?"
"Not sure…" Hermione said looking to Viktor with a small smile. "It just did."
"Why do things just happen to you? And more importantly when will things just happen to me?"
"Promise me you won't tell." Hermione said.
"I promise… But we're talking later and I mean really talking." Ginny said.
"Alright… So was there a reason you came here?"
"Ron was looking for you, but I'll tell him you're out for the day…" Ginny said winking. "See you two love birds later…" she said as she walked out the door winking at Viktor before she left.
"Can she be trusted?" Viktor asked.
"Yeah when Ginny makes a promise she makes a promise… Her word is as strong as steel." She said.
"We may not be able to keep this thing under wraps…" Viktor said. "Jamous knows, Karkaroff knows, and a small group of my friends knows… That's a lot of people."
"How come you get to tell your friends but I don't?" she asked.
"My friends were told so they could keep eye on you make sure nothing happens when I am not looking."
"So now I'm being watched? What did I say?" She asked a little irritated.
"I haven't gotten a chance to tell them no but I vill."
"Did you say before Karkaroff knows? Since when?"
"Sense today I told him you were very dear to me… You're welcome on boat any time now."
"Not sure I'd want to go back there." Hermione said softly. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you by going off on him…"
"What no no don't be sorry that was very… Amuzing…"
"Amusing?"
"You said everything to him that I haf alvays wanted to say…" he said. "It was grativying. Feel free to do when ever." She smiled up at him while he looked down at his watch. "You know you should head back to your dorm room to get ready for tonight I haf special permission to take you to hogsmeade for nice dinner."
"Hogsmeade at night?" she asked. "What should I wear?"
"Somefing dressy if you want." He said.
"Something dressy?" she asked. "I can do that."
"You always look classy mina." He said kissing her on top of the head.
"Mina?" she asked.
"Is it okay if I call you that?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's fine…" She said with a small smile.
"Would you like me to walk you to Gryffindor tower?" he asked.
"Oh no I should be fine…" Hermione said.
"I do not feel good about letting you walk alone… Not after malvoy-."
"Viktor I'll be fine I'll take the shortest route."
"Stray from dark corridors…" he said softly remembering what Malfoy had said to him.
"No worries the way I go is the way most teachers walk." Hermione said. "I'll be fine…" she kissed him on the cheek with a smile. "I'll see you later tonight, by the pumpkin patch right?"
"No I will pick you up at astronomy tower tonight if that's okay with you."
"Are we flying?"
"Of course." He said with a bright smile.
"Alright, I'll see you tonight at the astronomy tower." She kissed him quickly on the lips before heading out. He smiled as he watched her descend the stairs into the main library.
"Is Viktor here?" Jamous asked meeting her in front of the library.
"Should still be on the second floor." Hermione said with a soft smile.
"Thank you very much her-my-naninny." He said before disappearing into the aisles upon aisles of books.
"Jamous… What is it you look wired?" Viktor said eyeing his friend as he rushed up to him.
"Someone keeps hitting me in the back of the head…" he whispered looking around with a paranoid noise. "And I swear I hear footsteps following me." He said with an intense look.
"Are you alright?" Viktor asked carefully.
"It's those damned twins…"
"Right… The twins…" Viktor said.
"I'm not crazy…" jamous said.
"Of course you're not…" Viktor said.
"You believe me right?"
"Yes yes I very much believe you…" Viktor said before eyeing his friend for a long moment.
"What?" Jamous asked.
"Nothing nothing… Let's get you back to the ship." Viktor said as he walked past his friend.
"I'm not crazy!" Jamous said.
"Of course not old friend I never said you were." When Viktor was three feet away Jamous felt another smack to the back of his head.
"Ah!" he jumped around and put his fist out in a fighting stance.
"Jamous?" he spun around quickly to see Viktor looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Right, right… Coming…" he said glaring over his shoulder before fallowing his friend. When he left Fred and George with big smiles threw off the invisibility cloak.
"Think we went too far?' Fred asked.
"No way." George said with a laugh.
"Yeah that will teach him to mess with the Irish." Fred said with a smirk.
"We have about an hour to kill before dinner…" George said looking down at his watch.
"We could torment some more Bulgarians." Fred said.
"Later, for now we have to get our hands on the cup." George said while Fred smiled and rubbed his hands together deviously.