Chapter 7

Over the next few days Hermione saw that George was avoiding her. Not that obviously but there were slight changes in his behaviour. In the meantime, Hermione visited the kitchen two times again. Once without Harry and Ron but as soon as she recognised Dobby she had to inform Harry. So she went to get them and showed them the kitchen. Harry seemed really happy to have a chance to talk to Dobby and Ron looked like he was in heaven. The house elves forced them to take some food with them. But as Hermione tried to talk about S.P.E.W the house elves started to push them out of the kitchen.
“Why did you have to do that Hermione?” Ron asked her angrily as they were now standing outside of the kitchen.
“What?” Hermione replied.
“What if they will mess with the food of the Gryffindor’s now?” Ron said still with an accusing tone.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Ron” Hermione said before she turned around and went to the library. She wanted to get away from Ron. When he’s in a mood she hates to be around him.

Now Hermione was often alone in the library as Harry was reunited with Ron. Hermione thought that Harry needed a break from the library as he had spent a lot of time there with her while he was not talking to Ron. For the past week she sat often at the table in her lonely corner. Not as lonely as it used to be since Viktor joined her nearly every day. Apart from the mandatory ‘Hello’ and ‘Goodbye’ they sat in silence. Hermione was working on her Homework while Viktor read some books.

On Thursday Professor McGonagall told them about the Yule Ball. Hermione was excited. Even though she didn’t have a partner yet. She didn’t want to ask Ron or Harry right away. She wanted them to do the first step. The old fashion way.
Hermione went to the library after school. When she had arrived at her not so lonely, lonely table Viktor wasn’t there yet. She sat down anyway and stared to work on her homework. She had been there for about thirty minutes when Viktor joined her. He started to read his book, but Hermione noticed that he was fidgeting around so she looked up and asked him “Are you good? You seem nervous.”.
“ehm, yeah – have you heard about the Yule Ball on Christmas day?” Viktor answered her.
“Yes, our teacher told us today. Do you know with whom you want to go?” Hermione, a bit confused where this conversation will lead to, answered.
“I was hoping you would be my partner Herm-own ninny.” Viktor said after a short pause.
Hermione who didn’t expect this reply was shocked to say the least.
“With me?” She asked unsure if she understood him correctly.
“Yes, If you don’t want to it’s okay...” Viktor said before Hermione interrupted him, “I would love to go with you, Viktor. Thank you for asking me.”.

Hermione tried to carry on working on her Homework. Yet she had difficulties to focus something she wasn’t used to experience. She had to tell someone in order to be able to focus on her work again. She decided that she didn’t want to tell neither Harry nor Ron about it and she figured George wouldn’t be a good speaking partner for this either. Especially since he still was behaving a bit weird. So, Ginny it was.
Hermione quickly said goodbye to Viktor and ran up to the common room. It was nearly time for dinner, but Hermione hoped that Ginny would still be in the common room. Luckily, she found her immediately. She was sitting at a table leaned over her homework. Hermione went over her and said, “Can you come to my room please? I have to tell you something.”.
Ginny looked at her a bit confused but followed her up to Hermione’s room. Luckily the dormitory of the 4-year girls was empty. Hermione didn’t want to deal with neither Lavender nor Parvati.
“What happened Mione?” Ginny who sat down on Hermione’s bed asked. She looked a bit concerned at Hermion who was walking around the room.  
“Have you heard about the Yule Ball yet?” Hermione asked. And stopped to sit down at her desk.  
“Yeah, McGonagall had told us today, why?” Ginny answered.
“Well, Viktor Krum asked me to be his partner for the ball.” Hermione said.
“He did what!, when, where?” Ginny asked immediately. She nearly screamed the last word.
“He just asked me in the library. He often sits with me at the table that is a bit hidden away. I’m sure you have seen how many girls usually follow him around and there they can’t find him. And I don’t know why I was surprised he asked me.”
Ginny didn’t reply to that explanation. She was seemingly speechless, her mouth wide open in search of words. She didn’t say something for a solid minute then she got up and hugged Hermione.
“Hermione I’m so happy for you. I’m hoping someone will take me too so I can see you dance with him.” Ginny carried on asking Hermione.
“Thank you, Ginny. I’m sure someone will ask you out too. Could you maybe not tell the boys? I don’t want them to know they wouldn’t believe me and just make fun of me.” Hermione replied.
“Yes, sure no problem. I want to see Ron’s face when he sees you with Viktor Krum.” Ginny side with a wide grin on her face.

Hermione and Ginny spent the next hour talking about everything regarding the Ball. What dress Hermione would wear. What she will do with her hair and make-up. They had to end when Lavander and Parvati entered the room.

“What were you two talking about?” Lavender asked when Ginny left the room.
“Nothing that would concern you.” Hermione said coldly.

She was never really able to warm up to Lavender or Parvati. But Hermione didn’t care for tha

-A few days later-

When Hermione came back from dinner on Friday she saw Harry, Ron and Ginny sitting on the sofa by the fireplace. Harry and Ron were laughing about something whilst Ginny looked mad.
“Why weren’t you at dinner?” She asked as she plopped down in the armchair.
“Because – oh shut it you two- because they’ve both just been turned down by girls they asked to the ball.” Ginny said.
That stopped Harry’s and Ron’s attempt to keep it together. Now they looked mad, and Ginny seemed happy with herself.
“Thanks a lot, Ginny.” Ron said sourly.
“All the good-looking ones are taken, Ron?” Hermione asked smugly.
Ron’s expression changed from sulking to as if he had the greatest epiphany of his life.
“Nevilles right- you are a girl.” He said.
Hermione didn’t know if that should hurt or amuse her, so she just said. “Oh, well spotted, Ron.”. “Well… you could go with one of us you know.”,
“No I can’t” Hermione snapped at Ron’s suggestion.
“Oh, come on, we will look stupid if we are the only ones without a partner.” Ron tried to argue further.
“I’m really sorry but I can’t. I already have a partner.” Hermione said after a short pause.
“No, you don’t. Come on we know you only said that to Neville to get rid of him Hermione.” Ron said laughing.
Hermione was now sure what she was feeling, and it wasn’t amusement. How does Ron dare to just call her a liar. Why would she lie about something like that.
“Oh, did I” Hermione now nearly screamed at Ron “Well just because it took you over three years to notice I’m a girl doesn’t mean no one else has spotted that I am a girl.”.
Hermione didn’t want to hear Ron’s reply, so she got up and went to her room.

It took Hermione nearly the whole afternoon to get herself ready for the ball. She was extremely nervous but happily Neville ended up asking Ginny to be his partner, so Hermione got ready with her. She agreed with Viktor to meet him outside of the Castle. She went down alone as Ginny would meet Neville in the common room, but she was happy to not run into Ron or Harry on her way down. She especially didn’t want to deal with Ron again. She still was a bit mad at him for saying that she was just pretending to already have a partner for the Ball.

The Durmstrang students were already waiting outside the Castle doors.
“You look beautiful Herm-own ninny.” Viktor said as soon as he saw her. Hermione had to admit that he was looking quite good in his festive robes.
“Thank you, Viktor.” Hermione replied.
They didn’t wait for long till Karkaroff told them to form a line and they entered the castle. Everyone was staring at them. Professor McGonagall called the champions and their partners to stand on the side as they would enter the Great Hall after the students. Hermione saw Harry and Ron along with the Patil twins, but they didn’t seem to have recognised her. Only as Harry was standing in front of her he seemed to realise that it was in fact her.
“Hermione you look – wow- you look great.” Harry said.

“Thank you, Harry” Hermione replied.

Then it already was time to go into the Great Hall. Led by Professor McGonagall the champions and their partners made their entrance. Hermione saw the look of disbelief on her schoolmate’s face. Especially Pansy Parkinsons expression was hilarious.

During the dinner Hermione talked with Viktor and after they were finished with their deserts it was time for the champions and their partners to open the ball with a dance. Hermione was really nervous but luckily Viktor seemed calm. What helped Hermione to calm down too. Also she saw how nervous Harry seemed.

Hermione was happy when she got through the first dance and the other students and teacher started to join them too.

After Her and Viktor danced for the majority of the evening Hermione was really thirsty, so she signalled Viktor that she wanted to go get something to drink. On their way to the drinks, she saw Ron and Harry sitting alone at a table.
“Could you get us a drink I want to go and talk to Ron and Harry for a second. I will be over there.” Hermione said to Viktor.

“Sure, no problem” Viktor answered.

Hermione went over to Harry and Ron. They didn’t seem to have any fun at all. She sat down in the empty chair next to Harry. He greeted her whilst Ron stayed silent. But not for long. He started to bicker about why she’s with Viktor. When he said that she was fraternising with the enemy Hermione had enough. She was so angry at Ron. She stormed of with tears in her eyes. She didn’t care that Viktor will have to search for her. She just wanted to get away from Ron. He really could get under her skin.

Outside of the hall were a few people. Hermione felt their looks on her, so she ran further. She stopped when she reached a hallway that was empty. She dropped down on a stone bench and let her Tears flow for a bit. But not for long as Viktor had already found her.
“What happened Herm-own ninny?” Viktor asked her.

“It’s just – Ron” Hermione said.

She tired to wipe her tears away with her Hand. But it didn’t really work. Viktor took out a handkerchief and gave it to Hermione.

“Thank you” Hermione said and tried to smile at Viktor. He was now sitting next to her and put his arm around her shoulder. A short while later Hermione calmed down. She started to realize that Viktor was sitting really close to her. When she turned her face to him, their faces were already close together. Viktor proceeded to close the little gap between them. Till their lips met. Hermione felt how fast her heart was beating. She was nearly convinced that Viktor must've felt it too. Since he was so close.