Words: 5,513

A/N: Okay I think you guys are really gonna like this chapter! Also, I have the seventh chapter almost finished but it's going to be like 7k words long? Will that bother you guys? It's going to include the Yule Ball. After the seventh chapter is posted, well, I don't know when my next update will be. I have a lot on my plate and a lot of distractions and it may be a few weeks. I just need time to relax and focus on writing and not on a deadline. Don't fear about this story being forgotten, because that is not going to happen!

Chapter vi – Ordinary People

are you aware that you are you and I am I? that we are just two souls trying to get a grip in the world and that's all we will ever need to be.

Hermione had never felt more embarrassed in her life, tears had threatened to fall from her eyes as she thought back to what had just happened to her. Malfoy had been trying goad her by offering her one of the forgotten Potter Stinks pins now that no one really wanted to use them anymore. He had even dared to call her a mudblood. Then she had felt anger but she kept it hidden as she wished not to fall into Malfoy's ploy.

Harry, however, had just about enough and had drawn his wand on the blond. Before she knew it she had been hit by Malfoy's curse which had ricocheted off of Harry's. Her teeth had become overgrown and combined with the laughter from nearby Slytherins she almost broken down then and there. When Snape appeared only moments later and talked is there were no difference from her usual appearance she ran, the carefully built wall to fight those against her had crumbled.

Hermione could not take it anymore. She felt so awful after the comment. In honesty, she wanted to hide in her room but she knew she needed to report to hospital wing so that Pomfrey could fix her growing problem. While the matron shrunk her teeth Hermione made the devious choice to allow the nurse wizard to shrink them so much that they were just the right size. Hermione realized her teeth would no longer be an issue to which she tried to find even the smallest bit of comfort in.

Pomfrey had forced her to stay within the confines of the hospital wing for the remainder of the day just to make sure there were no hidden repercussions of Malfoy's spell, and so she spent the rest of the day lost in her thoughts where she wondered why people behaved so cruel. Hermione had spent hours in a trance-like state and questioned if she was truly ugly, questioned if people only really saw her for her bushy hair, teeth that were ever so slightly oversized and know-it-all personality.

Hermione laid down onto the bed and closed her eyes. A tear escaped as she clenched them shut in sadness. She did her best to fall asleep as quickly as possible, the faster she fell asleep, the faster she could escape her negative thoughts. Soon enough she did drift off, having forgotten anything else she had planned for the day.

Harry and Ron were in the great hall where they had come down for dinner. Hermione's absence from the table was noticed but after receiving a lecture from Madam Pomfrey earlier on the girl's need for rest they had left half-heartedly. No doubt the lady had decided to have her kept until the next day. While the two were slightly put off by this it would not solve their hunger pains.

Right before they left the looming of a presence behind them was noted. Ron almost flinched in response due to the many times Snape had whacked him on the head from behind but when he turned around he was caught quite off guard. Harry was as well but less so than his best friend. Viktor stood tall as the two had come to face him, an unknown book in his hand.

"Do you know where Her-mayo-knee is? Was supposed to meet her before supper but she did not…show." Viktor asked casually, raising a brow as Ron stared back peculiarly at him. Harry simply shook his head.

"She's, uh, stuck with the nurse in the hospital wing for the rest of the day." Harry responded without the full reason of why; he figured that Hermione would rather he did not spread her business to anyone just yet though he figured Malfoy would do it eventually. He noticed Viktor frowned greatly when he said that, looking extremely displeased.

"She'll be fine, just a mix up with some spells." Harry added on quickly so that there would not be any detailed questions. Viktor stared at him for another moment before he offered the book that was in his hand towards Harry.

"Will you give this to her then?" Viktor questioned as Harry took the book and looked at it. He recognized it as one Hermione often carried around. He was not sure how Viktor had come across the book but he realized that it was not his business to know.

"Sure." Harry sent the Durmstrang student a smile and received a sharp nod in response.

"Thank you." With that Viktor left the great hall accompanied by other Durmstrang students sporting similar Loud thumps emitted from their shoes as they met the hard floor and rang out in a concise beat to the ears of the other students.

The book had changed hands once more before it actually got to Hermione. Ginny had received it from Harry who had given her a simple explanation that Viktor requested it be returned to their mutual friend. Ginny had obliged happily, a bout of nervousness in her step after talking with her crush.

It was nearing curfew when Hermione showed up to her room. She truly looked like she could use a nice night of sleep within her own bed. Ginny smiled and welcomed her roommate back asking in a careful but comforting tone about what had happened.

"Malfoy's tricks as usual. I swear I'm going to make that punch I gave him last year look like a friendly tap on the shoulder one day." Hermione scowled as she sat on Ginny's beg, her legs were crisscrossed. Each girl was dressed in their appropriate wear for sleep but they decided to talk a bit before heading to bed.

"I'll be right behind you on that. Don't worry he'll get what's coming to him." Ginny put her hand on Hermione's shoulder in an act to show that she supported her friend, "You know you look…different but not in a bad way."

Hermione simply gestured to her teeth and Ginny gasped in response, her hand immediately shot up to cover her gaping mouth.

"You did not! Oh Hermione, don't think you weren't worthy before. Just because your teeth are a bit smaller now doesn't mean you weren't just as pretty before."

"I know, I know but it just made sense okay? I'm always looking out for Ron and Harry and it just made sense to do something for myself no matter how trivial it was. I'm tired of being picked on." Hermione crossed her arms before the two of them giggled. They truly were quite the pair of girls.

"Oh! I almost forgot. Harry told me that Viktor Krum wanted to give this back to you." Ginny outstretched her arm to grab the used book from the table and tossed it at Hermione who barely caught the object before it landed in her lap. Ginny looked as if she were waiting to hear some big, detailed story about how Viktor came to have a book that she owned.

"Oh no! I forgot that I was supposed to meet him today after everything that happened…I hope he's not upset with me." Hermione was startled as she smoothed her hands over the book's cover. She had completely forgotten Viktor had sent her a note to meet her in the library to return the book. Part of Hermione figured he would not be upset with her, he just did not appear to be that sort of person to have rash emotions. He did not seem to be a person to jump the gun, like Ron would. When Ginny snickered it broke Hermione out of her revelry.

"Oh just go to bed so you can dream about Harry. Viktor was intrigued by the book so I let him borrow it. Though he did finish it rather quickly…" Hermione trailed off as if she were in deep thought with her own mind. Ginny snapped her fingers and Hermione rolled her eyes before she climbed off the bed and into her own. In a split second the lights in the room dimmed to be almost nonexistent.

"You know you'll eventually have to tell me what I've been missing out on with you."

"Night Ginny."

"You can't hide anything from me Hermione Granger."

"Night Ginny."

"You know it's okay if you're not crushing on Ron anymore. I could understand why."

"GINNY!" Hermione stared wide eyed into the darkness, left to wonder how Ginny knew about her small crush. She turned over in the bed uncomfortably, unable to find a position she felt comfortable in.

"Night Hermione."

At one point in her life Hermione would have been able to fall asleep after that, left to live vicariously through her dreams until the next morning reared its ugly head. This time she felt off. Was she even still crushing on her friend? She didn't feel giddy like she used to when the subject of him appeared. She mentally frowned before she turned on her side and closed her eyes.

"The Yule Ball, a traditional part of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, is coming up quickly. Only those fourth year and above will be allowed to attend, unless of course you choose to invite someone of a younger age." Professor McGonagall announced to the large group of Gryffindors who had currently gone from quiet and attentive to a room full of harsh whispers accompanied by half of said room who sounded like giggling idiots. If Minerva had to find fault for the latter half she would have called the girls out on the latter mentioned behavior. Though she was not particularly pleased with the boys' expressions and mannerisms at the notion of a ball.

A ball meant dressing up, acting formal, and meant you had to be on your best behavior. Many of the Hogwarts' boys were not particularly acquainted with such behavior. The Hogwarts' professor sighed before she commanded the room's full attention again. They all knew, regardless of how deep down, that she was not a witch to be trifled with.

"Ahem, continuing on, dress robes will be required for this event. The ball will commence on Christmas Day at eight o'clock sharp and end at midnight in the Great Hall." The familiar teacher to all spoke in an informed tone to them and she took time to ensure that all the students understood that while the Yule Ball was a time for all those attending to have fun they still needed to keep a shred of self-preservation about themselves.

Hermione, in half-thought, swore she saw McGonagall side-eyed the Weasley twins and their younger brother. She, too, was sure if anyone could tarnish the reputation of the house of Gryffindor it would be them. However, the remainder of her thoughts were strangely consumed by the Yule Ball itself. She was never keen on events such as this and normally hung back when she was younger but now she was a bit older.

Contrary to entirety of the school's population, save for a few understanding souls, Hermione was not entirely consumed by books or overcome by the thought of having to know everything. Sure she was a bit more like that in her first and second year but she had grown up quite a bit since then even though two years seemed like nothing. Despite her best efforts the insecurities that grew during that year seemed to grip hold harder than ever. After all, who would ask her?

Woken from her thoughts she was met with the site of a squirming Ron who was looking quite uncomfortable. McGonagall had decided to use him as an example of the entry dance for the Yule Ball. He looked quite mortified to be dancing with one of his professors which caused Hermione to have forgotten any of her previous thoughts and join in with the childish laughter of her classmates.

The remainder of the class was a bit odd for her. They had all been assigned random partners to practice with, McGonagall's tone guided them through each step as best as possible. Most of the class had probably stepped on more toes during that one session than in their entire life. Hermione was a bit embarrassed that she did not easily pick up on the step as she would have liked though her practice partner, Dean Thomas, was not quite so quick on his toes either.

Hermione left the class rather frustrated and continued on to her double potions in quite the foul mood. Perhaps she would just skip the entire thing and spend Christmas at home with her parents if they agreed. Even if she did that it would not excuse her from the weekly dance lessons McGonagall had assigned for the Gryffindors to ensure they were adequately prepared for the Yule Ball.

The first two weeks of December had flown by and before Hermione could realize it was already the 16th. She had spent that time preparing for the end of exams that would occur at the end of the following week. The girl was almost so consumed with her studies that she had forgotten about the Yule Ball and the lack of attention it brought to her.

Deep down Hermione had vowed not to let it affect her but deep down she was still a 15-year old girl with secret hopes and wishes. She wished for those around to see her for more than just a cheat for homework or a girl with frizzy hair.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat in the Gryffindor commons room discussing their different troubles, well it was mainly Harry and Ron. They were mainly moaning about not having dates yet. Hermione rolled her eyes at their idiocy and figured they should just ask a girl, the worst that could happen was that they would be told no. It was not as if they would die if they got rejected.

Then they continued on and on and eventually complained about offers they had received but turned down just because of minor features they did not prefer. Hermione shook her head in disbelief, closing her potions book rather loudly. This did not attraction attention from the two in the way she would have figured. Ron had looked up to her; it was very obvious the wheels in his head were turning.

"Hermione, you don't happen to know two girls that would go with us would you? Ones with slick hair and perhaps ones that are shorter than us?" Ron piped up to her, asking the question as if it were no big deal. Hermione's jaw went slightly slack at his ability to be overly blatant. With her lack of response and gaping mouth that proudly sported her newly, well slightly new, reformed front teeth she was met with an even more outrageous statement from the ever-hopeless red head.

"Say, your teeth look a bit different Hermione…" Ron trailed off trying to put two and two together. Hermione promptly closed her mouth. Her stare at Ron was particularly unnerving due to the non-emotive vibes it gave off. Just an empty, blank stare. Hermione secretly wanted to say she did it to match whatever was going on in Ron's mind all day long.

Instead of actually answering anything she stood up and briskly walked out of the common room with an echoing, "I'll see you two later."

Neither went after her.

Hermione had gone to the library like usual. Part of her wished that Ron would have been mindful enough to follow her and ask what was wrong with what he said. She knew he was not that smart though, at least not with her. She was surprised to see that Viktor was not at the library but then again they had not made plans to meet up, so at the same time it was not surprising to see he was not there.

Her mind distracted itself by the thoughts of how oddly he had acted the last few visits. Hermione's fingers entangled with themselves as she brought her meshed hands to cover her forehead while she thought back. Viktor always seemed as if he wanted to ask her something, Hermione assumed it was important. There had been times when she wondered if it was something she could take offensively or something she might have trouble answering. He never seemed to gather the courage to get anything out in the open and between her studies and her constant watchfulness over Harry and Ron she never had the energy to delve into it.

Ten minutes passed before Hermione realized she was not going to get anymore studying done that night. Between the horrible the dance lesson had gone earlier that day, Ron's idiotic comments throughout the day, and her impending exams she was truly aggravated.

"Feeling frustrated friend?" Hermione did not turn when she heard the familiar voice of Viktor. She simply shrugged her head forward as if to acknowledge him.

"How'd you tell?" She replied dryly after a moment. Hermione had finally looked up to find her Bulgarian friend. There was a squint in his eyes when she noticed he had yet to take a seat next to her.

"Always cover forehead when mad or upset, now come d'is way." Viktor watched as her lips fell into a short frown before looking up in surprise. He wondered if she realized how often her friends sent her off into spirals of madness. When she rose from her seat as they walked through the bookshelves one at a time as if it were a maze. Hermione's arm encircled Viktor's arm as they walked though it looked as if her were escorting her.

Hermione had to admit that this had become a normal occurrence between the two within the two weeks. Viktor had suggested that walking around the area would soothe her irritations and it came true to pass for her. It did not hurt that Viktor did not mind being subjected to hearing the issues that landed her in such positions.

"Now tell what is wrong? What Weasel say d'is time?" Viktor could see Hermione roll her expressive eyes out the corners of his dark eyes. It was no mystery that her red-haired friend had done some rather off-putting things lately. He wondered if he had done this other years as well.

"Oh he just likes to complain about not having a dateyet he's already rejected any offer he's received because they didn't fit his criteria." Hermione finished with a loud huff and a pout in her lips. Viktor's brow raised at this.

"Sound like idiot. I know he is friend but he is not very…concerned with feelings?" Viktor honestly did not understand the way the Weasley boy behaved. Sure he was still young but he acted far younger than his actual age with many of his actions hypocritical.

"Spot on. Their also making the Gryffindors take a weekly class to learn the waltzes of the Yule Ball so we don't embarrass our house. It's not that I couldn't enjoy it, I'd very like to learn the dances, but it feels so forced when I dance with the people they assign and I've surely not benefited from any of the classes. Heck, I don't even plan going to the ball because no one's going to ask me." Hermione ranted and when she had finished it did feel like a big weight had lifted from chest. She missed the playful smirk that had played from Viktor's mouth.

"Come for walk." Viktor tries to pull her towards the direction of the library's exit.

"Aren't we already walking? Where do you want to go?" Hermione asked confusedly as she followed his lead. They had proceeded to release their escort stance from earlier in case anyone had passed them in the hallway, which was sure to happen. Neither wanted to be hounded if caught by another student.

"Yes but just follow. Please."

Hermione noticed whatever glow the vanishing sun had left to the sky was quickly fading. When Viktor finally stopped her in what seemed to be a secluded area the sky was fully black. She looked up to fully appreciate the stars that had ventured from hiding in awe. She rarely found time to appreciate the outdoors but when there was time for her to do so she always wore a child-like smile. With the freshly fallen snow crunching beneath her feet she closed her eyes momentarily to take in what felt like her first breath of air in a long time.

In a moment, however, her eyes blinked open which was accompanied by an odd tilt of her head. At first it felt like a strange nip at her toes that quickly turned into the tugging at her waist and eventually led to a soothing warmth all over her body. Hermione glanced up to Viktor who stood in front of her but still faced in her direction. When she flashed him a curious smile he beckoned her closer.

It was then Hermione realized that the immediate area around them had been cleared of any snow fall when she felt the familiar crunch of ice beneath her feet lacking and even the grass still had a green tinge with it as it seemed to spring up from its short slumber on earth. Viktor had chosen to shed his coat and she found her doing the same as the warmth around them grew just enough and seemed to have no signs of fading. They had discarded them a bit further away on a pair of large rocks.

"Used charms, like warming. D'is is okay?" Viktor questioned to Hermione and she merely nodded her head in response. She glanced around, almost out of habit, to find that there was no one who would disturb them, no fan girls or annoying friends.

"Perfectly fine Viktor. Might I ask why we're out here though?" Hermione questioned him because she had no inclination as to what was up. She was extremely curious, though, and wanted to find out his answer as soon as possible. Her arms folded together absent mindedly, tugging against the edges of her school sweater because she been so busy she had forgotten to change out of them. She noted that Viktor was still in his school uniform as well so she minded it less.

"We dance? Teach you for when boy asks you so you can dance night away wiff big smile, eh?" The way Viktor had responded there almost seemed to be a sense of giddiness in his tone and expression, something she had not been accustomed to seeing from him. Truth be told he was rather control with emotions, almost shy even. Hermione blushed at what he said as he thought she would be able to nab a date for the ball. At least he had some sense of hope in her.

"But there is no music to dance to Viktor." Hermione almost wondered what he was trying to get and part of her wondered if she had just pointed that out to avoid showing him how she danced. Viktor simply nodded his head to her in an agreeing fashion because she said had been the truth. She watched him reveal his wand, which appeared to be carved in an ornate-like fashion, and slide in through the air in a wispy motion to which he also accompanied by muttering a couple words.

"No excuses now dah?" Viktor playfully poked her side right as there was a familiar tone that graced their ears almost as if it had encircled them and decided to float through the air. It is almost instantly that she recognized it as the waltz Professor McGonagall had her class practicing for and she realized that she had finally been bested. It is meant to be the entry dance for the four champions, though other are meant to fall into place on the dance floor after the very beginning.

Viktor extended a hand to Hermione to which she took almost shakily. When Viktor placed a hand around her waist respectively she instinctually placed the free hand that remained against his shoulder. There were butterflies fluttering in her stomach and Hermione is not sure if they are due to never having danced with Viktor before, being on her own with him in such a setting, the way he was gently staring at her whilst guiding her into the correct steps for the playing waltz, or even a combination of the three.

The feelings in the pit of her stomach mellow out as the two glide about the designated area effortlessly for the next two formal songs. Hermione is quite surprised at how easy their attempts at dancing went versus how much trouble she seemed to have with her other partners.

"You were not that off, must give self more credit H-Her-mayo-nin." Viktor encouraged her and she chuckled sweetly at his attempt once again to pronounce her name. Hermione wondered if he was nervous, he had stuttered when he spoke it which he had never done before.

"Well I've had a much easier time dancing with you than I have with those in class, it's quite surprising…and don't worry you'll catch onto my name eventually I promise." The two exchanged gentle, warm smiles with one another. Hermione squeezed Viktor's hand as well when Viktor looked to the sky. They both realized it was getting a bit late now and they had gathered their coat so they would not be entirely unprepared when Viktor dismissed the warming spell he had placed.

The chill is quick to swirl around them, though not entirely unbearable. They make quick work of the walk back to the castle area with Hermione finding herself leaning into Viktor as they walked. Right as she went to grab the door's handle Viktor had stopped her. When Hermione turned to face Viktor wondering what he needed, the Durmstrang student's mouth seemed to halt before he could get a word out.

Viktor noticed her cheeks, rosy from the cold and the way her breath appeared for a split-second every so often. His gaze traveled up where he could see the tip of her nose which was flushed and her eyes were focused on him, only him. Hermione's hair seemed to frame against her face in that moment to accentuate her features. He realized that if he stood there breathless any longer she would begin to get suspicious. Hermione probably thought the cold had simply struck his vocal cords luckily.

"Is there something wrong Viktor?" Hermione questioned the taller being in front of her, her tone seemed to be assuming to him. He fidgeted by shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Viktor hoped that if his face had blushed she would assume it was the cold biting against his face.

"No…but d'ere is somet'ing I would like to ask of you if d'at is alright." Viktor responded to Hermione, his eye contact never faltering with her as soon as she had looked up to face him. He watched as she bit her lip and that was enough to send his emotions sky rocketing. He was slowly losing his nerve.

"Of course, you can ask me anything." Hermione was entirely unsure of what his request could be but she would do what she could to help him. There was that tingling feeling popping up in her gut again, as if just being able to help Viktor would melt her heart. She studied Viktor's face carefully as he seemed to be holding off on the question before there was an entire change in his demeanor but it appeared to be a pleasant one.

"I would love for you to accompany me to the Yule Ball, would you do d'at…Her-myo-knee?"

Of all things Hermione had expected being asked to the ball was last on her list, in fact it was not even on her list. The entirety of her mind went blank and she almost could not bring herself to answer, almost in deep confusion because surely this had to be some foreign dream. There was even a moment, a racing thought, that of all people he could have asked, how could it be her? Her internal responses were that she did not consider herself to be naturally pretty so neither would he or that his motives for asking her were elsewhere.

She stopped herself cold. Viktor had been nothing but genuine in his growing friendship with her and she held nothing but pleasant experiences from times with him since they met. She found herself become unfrozen from the initial shock and able to pull out a genuine smile for Viktor, a smile where her teeth showed and nothing in the world could knock her off her feet.

"I would really like that Viktor."

In that moment with Viktor, Hermione realized that it was okay for her to have an adventure of her own, away from Harry and Ron. That she could be allowed her own forms of happiness too. Viktor's shared expression of elation showed her that she would not regret her decision of acceptance.

He had chosen to escort her back to the winding staircases, leaving her with a soft kiss upon her knuckles and a swift bow. She had giggled and told him goodnight before she hurried up the stairway where she nearly fell into the bugged step. When she got back to the common room she saw a few Gryffindors which included Harry although he was getting ready to head up to his room. She bid him a goodnight as well.

Hermione had not even realized that Ron was nowhere to be seen. She had not even realized there had been a peaking face as Viktor had seen her back to her hall. She was too busy in her own, well deserved, excitement to notice.

When Hermione returned back to her room she was met with a rare sight. Ginny was currently curled up in her bed, quite early in fact, reading one of her books. She shed her coat atop of her trunk casually, where she felt the warmth of their room had encircled her almost immediately. When she said hello to the younger girl in the room it was mirror that of an airy, breathless echo. Her friend had returned with her greeting with a grumble, something she assumed was akin to that of a hello back. She did not care though, she was too busy wrapped up in her thoughts while Ginny was too enthralled by her random book.

Until Ginny froze mid-sentence, squinted harshly at a random sentence in the book before she carried the same investigative squint all the way till she found Hermione changing into her night robes, a pair of fuzzy pants and long sleeved flannel.

"Oi, what've you been up to?" Ginny pipped up towards her friend who smiled as she carried herself over to her friend's bed. Suspicious as it was, any hint of Ginny's devious enthrallment in whatever Hermione was up to faded when she responded back. Instead her insides filled with eager curiousness and the promise to keep it hidden till death take her.

"I'll tell you, but only because I might burst if I don't tell a soul. You can't tell anyone, promise?" There was a certain gush to the way Hermione spoke but the seriousness in her eyes when she requested not a soul be informed of whatever had occurred that night made Ginny realize that it would be something unexpected that happened.

"Of course, promise." Ginny nodded profusely and the two entangled their pinkies where both were shook into oblivion. The pure-blood witch had only recently been enlightened to the wonders of a pinky promise and it absolutely enthralled her. The rest of the night till they went to bed consisted of Hermione telling every bit of memory she could think of when it came to the way Viktor had asked her to the Yule Ball. From his eagerness to know what troubled her to when he had swayed to the music that had played just for them that night, only for them.

Hermione almost had to shield her ears when Ginny squealed in excitement when she finally revealed just who had asked her. The younger witch was practically fascinated by every bit of the story and that final tidbit sealed the deal for her mind.

"It must've been a dream! I can't believe he asked you, well I could because you're such a catch Hermione but you know." Ginny giggled charmingly where Hermione could not help but blush. The memories of her tale were still dancing around in her mind to their own beat. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before and she was bewildered when her stomach did another flip.

Hermione was completely clueless as to how she was going to get to sleep tonight. She was secretly glad that there were no classes tomorrow because she would have probably been so lost in thought and unable to concentrate it would have killed her.

I really appreciate when you guys leave reviews so be sure to do so and I'll see you whenever I can get the next update posted. Have a good Thanksgiving too!