On Monday morning Harry went down to breakfast doing more swerves, ducks, dips, dives and dodges than he'd done in the entire of the Quidditch match on the weekend, such were the numbers of well-wishers and admirers who wanted to accost him and congratulate him on a game well played that he had to avoid, not to mention the string of requests to have a go on his Firebolt, if he was pliant to such plans.

Which, of course, he wasn't.

As such, he was grateful - as well as slightly miffed - by the time he reached the relative safety of the Ravenclaw benches and went to sit down. At first, he was going to plump for his usual spot facing towards the Slytherins on the next table, but then he changed his mind, stepping around to the other side so that he could look at the wider hall. This meant he would now be able to see the Hufflepuffs next door and the Gryffindors over at the far end.

His ulterior motive for this was to see if he could spot Hermione Granger anywhere, to try and get a look at her face. He'd been anxious over the way he'd ended his last letter to her and, as she hadn't sent a reply yet, he hoped he hadn't brought a premature end to their budding friendship before it had even really got started. It was a risk he had to take, because he was in grave danger of getting heavily invested into this relationship already. He had to know if all this opening himself up would ultimately be worth it.

Harry found Hermione sitting about half way along the Gryffindor bench, facing out into the Great Hall, which was handy for some subtle observation of her. She was chatting with the dark-haired girl … who was called Ffion, or Fiona, or Febreze, or whatever her name was … and Harry was warmed to see that Hermione wasn't on her own for a change. He watched her bright and cheery expressions for several moments, but she didn't look in his direction, so he soon stopped staring as it felt as though he were doing something illicit.

Which meant that Harry missed it when Hermione flicked her eyes to his face, at almost the exact same second that he looked away.

Harry's attention had been drawn by Luna, who was sat in his usual place on the bench and who he hadn't noticed earlier, such was his single-mindedness to secure the best spot for spying on unsuspecting Gryffindor witches. But he saw her now and noticed that she had prepared for his arrival.

"Morning Harry," Luna chirped. "I picked you out the biggest egg for breakfast and sliced you some toast soldiers to go with it. That's what you usually have, isn't it?"

"Er, yeah. Thanks," Harry replied cautiously as he sat down and looked at the neatly cut strips of crunchy toast next to the single brown egg, which did seem rather large. "I could have done that myself, you know."

"I know, but I thought it'd be a nice surprise for you."

"Well … thanks," Harry muttered. "What are you having today?"

"Muesli," Luna replied, pointing at her bowl. "I thought it might be fun this week to have a different breakfast each day, one whose first letter is the same as the day. So, as it's 'M' for Monday, I'm having 'M' for Muesli. Tomorrow I'll have Toast, then Weetabix on Wednesday, then Fruit on Friday. Oh … I missed Thursday. What can I have on Thursday, Harry?"

"Toad in the Hole?" Harry suggested with a grin.

"Can you have Toad in the Hole for breakfast? I do like a bit of Toad in the Hole, actually."

"Luna, we are in a school where we can brew fame and bottle glory … I'm pretty sure we can stretch to sausages and Yorkshire pudding for breakfast!"

"But I was going to have sausages on Saturday," Luna mused. "Maybe I'll just have to have scrambled egg instead."

"And what about Sunday?" Harry grinned.

"I think on Sunday I'll have to go on a diet before all that rich food makes me big and fat," Luna giggled.

"Well, thank you for my egg anyway," Harry said, his mood a lot better as he picked up a spoon and cracked it against the hard shell in front of him … which promptly exploded with a little bang.

"What the hell!?"

The eruption, as well as Harry's shocked exclamation, drew attention from several people nearby. He watched in cross curiosity as the top of the egg burst open and something flew out, as though it had been fired from a cannon. Harry reached up, snatched it out of the air, then shot his gaze back to the Gryffindor table.

For he was now holding Hermione's latest letter to him in his hand and he wanted to look at the culprit.

He found her face again and pinned his eyes to it, but Hermione wasn't looking back. In fact, her eyes were closed and her face was half-hidden behind her hand, her shoulders rocking up and down as she fought against furious giggles that were dying to escape her. Eventually, her eyes re-opened and she met Harry's gaze. Her shining, playful expression melted Harry's momentary annoyance at the exploding egg and subsequent attention it had brought him, and he soon began to see the funny side.

Then Hermione dropped her hand, looked swiftly around to make sure she wasn't being watched, then mouthed the word 'sorry' to him, though Harry could tell she didn't really mean it. But his mood was already lifted and he didn't care. He grinned back at her, inclined his head in an acknowledgement of a surprise well executed … then he and Hermione did something they'd never done together before.

They laughed … at the same time and about the same thing. They weren't together to share the moment, but both revelled in the mirth and somehow felt that their connection had deepened slightly through the experience.

Feeling unusually cheery, and not caring who might be watching anymore, Harry opened Hermione's carefully sealed envelope and starting reading right there at the breakfast table.

Hi Harry

Not reply to you! Don't be so absurd! You've just become ten times more interesting to me, and you were already the most interesting person I've ever met as it was. Although the idea of you wandering around alone beneath the school concerns me, I wont lie about that, the fact that you discovered the Chamber of Secrets and a basilisk is utterly fascinating and I'd love to know more about it. You really are full of intriguing surprises and I wonder what I'll find about you next. You are much more than I ever imagined and I'm so happy that I took the chance of asking you to be my penpal.

It may be the best risk that I've ever taken.

Oh, and you needn't worry about me judging you for your ability to speak to snakes, which I actually 'wowed' about out loud when I first read it. I know there's a stigma attached to Parselmouths in the Magical World, with many seeing the talent as a Dark Art, but I don't see it that way, and not just because I'm Muggleborn and not indoctrinated like the others. Speaking to animals is a significant gift and snakes are given a hard time I think. In more ancient belief systems, snakes were revered for their wisdom … but a brainy Claw like you probably already knows that! So we should focus on that aspect, and expect great wisdom from you, Harry!

Harry scoffed at that with a little guffaw. The idea that he'd ever become an enlightened philosopher amused him. But then he got a shot of wisdom from somewhere and looked up at Luna.

"Hey Lu … did you help set up that egg trick with Hermione Granger?" Harry asked.

Luna blushed and flicked her eyes up innocently. "Oh no, that was all her idea."

"But she did force you to help her?"

"No, it wasn't like that. I offered. My job was to make sure that you sat exactly where you are. I had to stop anyone else sitting there, too. I think Hermione wanted to be able to see when you opened your egg. Your face was very funny when you did. You should have seen it."

"I can imagine."

"Are you mad with me?"

"No, I'm not mad," Harry said, to ease Luna's anxiety.

"Are you mad with her?" Luna asked.

"A little … because now I have to think of something better to get her back with!" Harry smirked.

"So … Hermione Granger is your penpal?" Luna questioned cautiously. Harry nodded that she was. "Wow. I didn't think either of you would sign up to the Club. You don't seem the types to have lonely hearts."

Harry felt a denseness press on his chest as Luna said that, though he wasn't sure if the sensation was on account of the possibility of his own lonely heart … or if it was reacting to the possibility that Hermione might have one. He found that he didn't like the latter idea one little bit. It made him unreasonably cross.

"It isn't about lonely hearts, and you shouldn't let other people's silliness influence you like that," Harry frowned. "Hermione and I just sort of … happened. It's a long story."

"What's it like, though, knowing who you are writing to?" Luna asked. "Is it scary?"

Harry considered that a moment. "Yeah … yeah, a little. You feel vulnerable at first, knowing who knows your secrets, but then you know theirs, too, and that makes it alright and it stops being scary. It's funny how quickly you can get to bond with someone like that. I feel like I already know Hermione loads better than I did. I just wish I'd known her like this for longer. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Luna replied. "I just feel like I know my own penpal really well, too, but I don't know who they are. And I think I'd like to. But I'm scared to suggest it, just in case they'll stop writing to me once they know who I am. You know how people generally think of me, Harry. And I don't want to lose my new friend."

"If they are that flaky, it would be their loss to stop being friends with you," Harry declared loyally, causing Luna's flush to deepen. "But I know what you mean. It's going to be very odd when Hermione and I next speak, after all we've said to each other in our letters … I get the feeling it will be awkward."

"Maybe you need something to distract you, to stop it being awkward," Luna suggested. "Like maybe you could go to the Yule Ball together, that would give you something else to talk about, wouldn't it?"

"The what?"

"The Yule Ball," Luna repeated. "Haven't you heard? The school is putting on a grand Ball in December, as part of the Triwizard festivities. The Weird Sisters are going to be playing here that night. It's why we aren't having a Halloween Ball tonight, just a bigger feast than usual. I'm thinking of asking my penpal to go with me to the Ball. Maybe you could ask Hermione Granger to go with you."

Harry's reactionary first instinct was, 'no, not in a million years am I going to a Ball,' … but then he thought about going to a Ball with Hermione and, for just a single second, the idea was appealing. It might be alright if he was going with her, it might not be such an ordeal, as it was sure to be if he went with anyone else. Then the horrendous idea of going to a Ball in any fashion took over again and dominated his thoughts.

But that solitary second had made it's mark … and Harry found the idea a stubborn one to shift.

He thought about it all through Charms that morning, and wasn't helped by the fact that they were practising Joining Charms, which several of the Hufflepuff girls found very giggly, as they speculated about who they could join with on the night of the Ball, which seemed to be the only topic of conversation from the Fourth Year students up.

Transfiguration after morning break didn't help, as they were supposed to be transforming two objects into one, which led to yet more lewd comments from many corners of the class. Indeed, Anthony Goldstein transforming his objects into ones that would 'fit' inside each other in a crude sort of fashion, rather than fuse as one, was enough to earn him a detention that night from Professor McGonagall.

So as it was, Harry was happy to find a quiet corner of the library for lunch, having lost his appetite with all these concerning thoughts floating around inside his head. In any case, he had to finish Hermione's letter and didn't want to be disturbed while he did so. Luckily, the library was largely empty, so Harry picked his favourite private booth and sat down to continue reading.

You may be wondering at my sudden use of 'we'. Well, it is in response to what you said in your letter … I ABSOLUTELY want to consider you as a friend now, Harry! And I'm beyond touched that you suggested this so soon. I had heard so much about you, about how you were a closed book and so hard to get to know, but that's obviously a load of rubbish. People have clearly been trying in the wrong way, and I'm thrilled that I've had more luck than them in getting to know you. I don't know how I did it, but I'm proud of myself for achieving it. I'm also thankful for you letting me in, even if it is nothing more than a toenail over the threshold so far. If I can get my whole foot in the door by Christmas, I'll consider my year's work done!

By the way, do you have a name for your basilisk? I'm guessing that Mr Tickles, or Snowy, or Fido just don't fit! I'd be delighted to know how you came up with a name, if you have one.

Just a brief word on the Quidditch … well played, but I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about in terms of me manipulating you to play. I'll have you know I'm a very honourable witch and would never dream of coercing someone to play a game that they totally love, on the occasion of their House team desperately needing them, especially as my own House suffered for it. Can you imagine the abuse I'd get if such a slanderous rumour ever got out? I'd never hear the end of it!

By the way, you were utterly brilliant and I'm glad you won. I shouldn't have taunted you in the first place, but I earned a beautiful jewel out of it and I'm a little speechless that you gave it to me, if I'm honest. I'm going to have it sent away to be set into a pretty necklace, and I doubt I'll ever take it off once I get it back. So thank you, Harry. That barely seems enough, but your generosity leaves me a little in awe and lost for words.

Which is why I'm a little bit guilty about the secret I'm going to share this time. I'm actually NOT that great a flier. I'm not a fan of heights, you see, and I don't really have the dexterity for advanced broom flight. It's one of those areas where theory doesn't help so much. Not that I haven't tried. In First Year I read 'Quidditch Through The Ages' that many times that people thought I was going to try out for the House team!

Truth is I was just trying to find words to cling on to … anything that might help me cling onto my broom in the flying classes later. So, sorry, I'm not going to be much of a match for you in a race. I'd be happy to fly with you, though … so long as you stay low and take things slow. I'm okay like that on a broom. I know you must think I'm terrible for deceiving you, but I just really wanted to see you fly and play … and you were electrifying up there. I've never really enjoyed Quidditch that much before, but I might watch more games if you were playing in them. You were just that good.

I was thinking about what you were saying, about us not talking since we started writing, and I have to agree … it is so strange that we've managed to avoid each other for the last fortnight. That's so odd. I didn't realise how much I actually saw you during an average week until I clicked that it's been ages since I last did.

And is it alright that I say that I miss it? And not just because I've run out of quill nibs! I think I spoke to you more regularly than anyone else in the school, even though I was annoying the hell out of you most of the time. Sorry about that … sometimes I just don't know when to keep my big gob shut!

But I hope it would be alright to talk to you properly when we next run into each other in the library. If that doesn't happen, I've heard a rumour about an event that's coming up that might give us an opportunity for a better chat. If you're there, and I'm there, it would be nice to catch up over a mince pie or something. But I'll wait for confirmation until I get more into that.

Anyway, I'd better go. I have a tricky little spell that I need to do to get this letter to you. I think you'll agree when you get it that it was an 'egg-cellent' bit of magic!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Hermione.

Harry shook his head at the truly awful egg pun, even though it had brought a smile to his face. Then he heard something that wiped his grin clean off.

For it was the voice of Viktor Krum … and he was talking to the owner of the very voice that Harry still had in his head.

"Hello … you are called Hermy-Own-Ninny, yes?"

Harry peered out through the gap in his private booth and saw Hermione sat at the big table in the middle of the reading area. She looked up crossly as the duck-footed Bulgarian disturbed her.

"I'm called Hermione, if that's what you mean."

"That is what I said … Hermy-Own-Ninny. It is a very pretty name. The prettiest I've heard."

Hermione went to complain about the mispronunciation, but the unexpected compliment took her by surprise and she hesitated.

"Well … thank you. No-one has ever said that they like my name before," Hermione muttered.

"Well they should have," said Krum. "If it is good enough for Shakespeare, it should be good enough for anyone."

"You … you know the origin of my name," Hermione hushed. "You're the only person who ever has."

"An honour I am glad to hold," Krum swooned. "But I hope to be more fortunate than Leonides and not have you turn to stone before me!"

Krum laughed, and Hermione did, too. Harry found himself frowning and he didn't know why. He was glad earlier when Hermione looked happy, but he didn't like it now, not when Krum was the cause of it. He scowled through the gap in the booth.

"Tell me, Miss Hermy-Own-Ninny," Krum went on. "Will you be going to the Halloween feast this evening?"

"I imagine so, yes," Hermione confirmed. "The whole school will be there."

"Yes, and I understand that the traditional House benches will be replaced by communal tables," Krum continued. "If you would do me the honour, could I claim half an hour of your time at some point? I wish to learn more about Hogwarts, and you seem to be the brightest person here. I rarely see you outside of this library. You will be the perfect person to educate me on the history of this place."

Flattered and surprised, Hermione answered on reflex. "Yes, alright, I can give you what you want."

"That is exactly what I wanted to hear," Krum replied, smoothly. "Well, I shall leave you to study. Do you expect your friend, Mr Harry Potter, will be happy sharing you with me this evening?"

"Sharing me?" Hermione hushed in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, only that I see you with him often. I do not wish to antagonise him, by taking you away from him on such an occasion. I do not wish to make an enemy out of a Dark Lord slayer."

"Oh, um … well … that shouldn't be a problem," Hermione replied in a flustered sort of way. "Harry and I are only friends. We wont be going together or anything."

"Now that is something I am glad to hear," Krum simpered. "Till this evening, then, Miss Hermy-Own-Ninny."

Then Krum bowed low, before sauntering away like a limp duck.

Enjoying this story? Check out some of the others in my portfolio and don't forget my crossovers! They're worth a go, honest! Thanks for reading, and stay safe in these wacky times!