Only two days left before the Yule Ball. Both in the fanfiction and before the Yule Ball chapter gets uploaded. Try to guess what Hermione is doing.

HERMIONE XII

December 23rd. Only two days before Christmas. Hermione was sitting in the library, completing her homework in Ancient Runes with Harry. Ron was making a snowball battle with his brothers and Ginny outside. He didn't understand why Harry and Hermione both chose to complete a homework at such a date. To be truly honest, Hermione didn't understand why Harry made such a choice either. Because Hermione had not really come here to work. Well, yes, she would work, but also because of another person in the library. And she was hoping that Harry would not find out about her secret, so she joined him when he saw her arrive. For now, however, Viktor was not to be seen, hidden by shelves. Still, Hermione did not lose the opportunity to finish the homework.

"Almost done," she said.

"Me too. Something good to get rid of," Harry added.

Hermione agreed. Her mind was not really set to work right now. She was feeling butterflies in her stomach at all times of day, and these increased as the day of the ball approached. Hermione had a hard time identifying a certain ruin.

"Do you recognize this ruin?" she asked Harry, showing her parchment.

"This is Viking. It represents a raven," he said immediately.

Hermione shook her head. "Of course." How could she have forgotten?

"Are you tired?" Harry asked her.

"No, no." It was only about four o'clock in the afternoon. It was way too soon. "I just forgot about it."

She went back to work. A little while later, Harry dropped his feather and stretched his arms.

"Finally over. One good thing done," he said loudly.

"Silence, Harry," Hermione muttered. "Madam Pince."

"Oh. Sorry." They were lucky, the librarian didn't show up.

"You'll have more time to focus on the egg after the ball, this way," Hermione said, not without purpose.

"I'll work seriously on it, Hermione. I promise. I just couldn't find anything to understand it so far."

"Well, you shouldn't drag your feet, Harry. The second task is approaching, and faster than you think."

"Hermione, please. First, let me face the Yule Ball. It is almost a Task in itself. After, I'll face the second task and whatever it brings."

Hermione sighed. She lifted her attention from her work. "You're so afraid about the ball?"

"Well, it's not you who got to open the ball when you don't even know how to dance."

Harry didn't know what he was talking about. Hermione would open the ball. However, he was right by saying she didn't have to open it while not knowing how to dance. Because Hermione did know how to dance.

"Haven't the dance lessons with McGonagall brought any progress?"

"Barely." Harry had finally confessed why he left a little before six o'clock each and only returned late in the evening each day. "I don't understand how people can love the idea of a ball."

"Everyone has different tastes. Come on, Harry. It will go well. Unless you invited Pansy Parkinson or Millicent Bulstrode."

"You really think I could ever be desperate enough to do that?"

"No."

Ron could, though. When Harry admitted to Hermione how Ron got his date to the ball, she was flabbergasted. How could boys be so stupid? But she wouldn't go on that terrain again. Instead, she chose another one.

"But I would stop having such ideas if you told me who you are going to the ball with."

"It's a secret, Hermione. Unless you tell me who you're going with."

"So you can tell Ron? No way. It will remain a surprise."

"For both of us, then," Harry completed.

Hermione didn't get why Harry wouldn't say who he was going to the ball with. That was ridiculous. Yes, Hermione hid who her date was, but only because she didn't want people to mock her at every turn. Hermione's worst fear was that Harry invited someone she disapproved and that it was the reason he wouldn't tell her. For she was certain he told Ron. He even approached Hermione, suggesting she told him about her date and Ron would then reveal to her who Harry was going to the ball with. Hermione didn't understand why Harry revealed it to Ron but not to her.

"What are you doing here?"

Hermione jumped, thinking for a moment that Madam Pince had surprised them and thought they spoke too loudly. But it was only a student of their year, a pretty good-looking girl with blond hair falling on her shoulders and one or two locks falling on her temples and cheeks from time to time, framing a pair of deep blue eyes.

"Completing homework," Hermione said.

"Today?" Hannah Abbott asked, seeming unbelieving, but she laughed instead. "You're funny, you know. The ball is approaching, and still you make your homework. Even Ernie doesn't do that."

"Well, we're not Ernie. What do you want?"

Hannah nodded. "Mind if I sit?" But she didn't wait and sat down next to Harry. "Ah. Ancient Runes. May I take a look? That could help me when I do it after Christmas."

She had been asking Harry. "Help yourself," he said.

"Thanks," she replied, sending him a bright smile.

This was quite a change of behavior for Hannah. A few weeks ago, she had been among the people who mocked and insulted Harry for participating to the Triwizard Tournament, wearing the famous badge the Slytherins conceived, and she did not hesitate to show the side that stated Harry was stinking. This was in contrast with her behavior in the morning after the first task. Hannah had been the first one to walk to Malfoy and to throw her badge in the flames in front of him, being followed by dozens of other people. Hermione thought of Hannah as someone with very changing moods and mind, who could believe a thing one day and think totally the opposite the day after. She also believed that Harry was the heir of Slytherin in their second year, and she needed for Hermione to be Petrified to realize she was wrong. For someone who was among the students with the best results in their year, Hermione found this girl very naïve. She definitely wasn't the Hufflepuff she got along the best. What she reproached the more to Hannah this year was that she actually thought Harry cheated for the Tournament. During their second year, it could still be understandable, but today, as they were older, and Hannah was a neighbor and friend of Harry, Hermione thought very little of her during November as she foolishly thought Harry was stupid enough to get into a competition that could get him killed. Although, Hannah was also the first Hufflepuff to apologize to Harry and to recognize her wrongdoing. The girl wasn't arrogant, and she had no problem acknowledging her errors. She was even one of the main reasons why people stopped harassing Harry after the first task, being very popular and setting an example many others followed.

"Are you going to the ball?" Hannah asked Hermione.

"Yes, I am," she replied.

"With who?"

"It's a surprise," Harry answered before Hermione could. She silently thanked Harry. For once, she didn't have to say it herself. It was tiring to always repeat the same words.

Hannah looked into Harry's direction. He seemed quite uncomfortable as she stared at him, and she turned her gaze back to Hermione, an interested expression on her face. But then she smiled even more brightly and looked back to Harry.

"Well, I guess Harry's partner is a surprise as well. I can't wait to see who this is."

On those words, Hannah went back to reading Harry's homework. Hermione noticed how Harry seemed to feel uneasy. She decided to finish her homework and get done with it. However, working when Hannah was around wasn't the easiest task. She interrupted them repeatedly, talking about this or that. Hermione wondered how Harry succeeded to complete his homework with her during summer.

After some time, Harry stood up.

"Sorry, Hannah. I've got to go. Can I…?"

"Of course." She gave him back his homework right away. "Well, I'll see you soon, Harry."

He nodded and walked away. Hermione looked at him as he disappeared. Then she looked at her watch. He was leaving earlier than usual for his dancing lessons.

"So, Hermione," Hannah said, an accomplice expression on her face. "Now that Harry is gone, you can tell me. Who are you going with?"

Hermione sighed exasperatedly. "He told you. It's a surprise."

But this only seemed to arouse Hannah's interest. "Oh, please, Hermione. I won't tell anyone. I swear."

Hermione knew better than to trust such a promise from one of the most gossiping girls in the school. "No. You'll find out at the ball, like everyone else. Even Harry doesn't know, so don't try to get the truth out of him."

Her smile only grew larger. "Fine. Then I guess you don't want to know either who is going to accompany me to the ball."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"You're right. I don't have to tell you. You'll find out when we meet at the ball. It will be another surprise. Have a good evening, Hermione."

And Hannah left quickly, like that, making a move of the head that reminded Hermione of those Fleur Delacour did all the time. That wasn't to make her less annoyed by Hannah right now. A few minutes later, Hermione completed her work in Ancient Runes. As soon as it was done, she headed for another part of the library, where she found Viktor, still reading. He lifted his eyes from his book the moment she approached, and his face changed completely. She never saw that side of him before he came to talk to her early in December, not long after the Yule Ball was announced.

Hermione would never forget this moment. She was completing an assignment in Transfiguration when he came by her. He said nothing first, only standing there, in front of her, silent. Hermione found his presence annoying, so she asked him if she bothered him. That was when he asked her what her name was. When he tried to pronounce it, his attempt was so bad that she had to repeat it correctly for him. She never heard him speak before. Then she insisted to know what he wanted. It was then that he told her he had come to the library each day in the hope to talk to her, but he never found the courage. That had left Hermione's speechless. Though not as speechless as when he finally asked her if she would like to come with him to the Yule Ball.

It had been almost two weeks now since he asked her, and ever since, Hermione had a new reason to come to the library. It happened that Viktor was quite different from the image of expert Quidditch player he projected, and she came to enjoy her time with him.

"Sorry for not being in your eyesight," she said.

"It's alright," he said timidly, in a very bad English, and very kindly. "Harry Potter, you know him very well?"

"Yes. He's my best friend. We've known each other since first year."

"I read this article. About you two," he suddenly said, out of the blue. "I had a hard time understanding it first, but now that I understand English better…"

"Viktor, this article is all lies," she said. "It's this Rita Skeeter. She invented everything. Harry and I are only friends." He didn't seem convinced. Though he didn't look like he was accusing her, only sad. She felt she needed to give some explanations, although she hated to do that. "Look, I spent a lot of time with him earlier this year because everyone was on his back after the champions were named. But he's only a friend. Look, he dated a girl of our year last summer, and I'm the only one he told because I'm his best friend. That's all. And he's going with another girl to the Yule Ball."

As she said that, Hermione realized something. All the pieces from events that took place a few moments ago were taking their rightful place. Oh. In this case… Well, he could have made a far worse choice…

"I apologize," Viktor said. "I'm sorry."

He meant it. Hermione could tell from the expression of his face and the tone of his voice. He really meant it, unlike Ron who apologized as if it was a formality, like a small chore to do. She smiled at Viktor, and he smiled back at her.

"So… what were you reading?" she asked him to change the conversation.

He showed her a history book on the wizarding world of Ireland.

Hermione spent over an hour in the library with Viktor, which was a very good time. He didn't talk much, but she didn't mind. When she went down to the Great Hall for dinner, she only found Ron, Harry being absent once again. She looked at the Hufflepuff table, and smiled in satisfaction as it confirmed her suspicions. She sat down next between Ron and Ginny, and he immediately asked her the same question again.

"Will you tell me who you are going to the ball with?"

"Leave her alone, Ron," Ginny complained, earning the same silent gratitude from Hermione that Harry earned earlier this day.

"And don't try to trade Harry's date for the Yule Ball with mine," Hermione warned her. "It's too late now. I know who she is."

"You know?!" Ron sighed, mouth wide open. "He told you!"

"No. I found out. By myself. You should try to use your head for once, Ronald," she said, her fake smugness at its highest to get on his nerves, a sort of revenge for his insistence on knowing who was accompanying her.

Hermione left the Great Hall with Ginny later. The butterflies in her stomach had grown.

"Who Harry is going with?" Ginny asked, uncertainty plain in her voice.

Hermione wondered whether she was embarrassed to ask the question or afraid to know the answer. For a moment, Hermione hesitated to tell her. She wasn't sure whether it would do any good. But after a moment of internal debate, she decided to jump.

"Well, I'll tell you. This way you won't be surprised at the ball."

And she whispered it in Ginny's ears.

To summarize, Hermione has a theory. In the next chapter, the truth will finally be revealed.

Please review.

Next chapter: surprise POV