Making Peace
Hermione was almost hesitant to go to class the next morning because she knew everyone would be talking about how she sobbed on the stairs the night before or worse, how Malfoy approached her and handed her a napkin. She wasn’t sure how to feel about it, it was just so… unexpected and strange. After what looked to be a 'friendly interaction' on the dance floor, it wouldn't be a great look if someone saw him giving her a napkin last night. She felt weird as it is already and didn't want people to assume they were friends or even on good terms with each other. He wouldn't like that, too.
Of course, he wouldn't! She felt a sense of relief. He would ridicule her hair or her interest in 'boring' literature the moment others started whispering about how they weren't fighting and he was being polite to her by offering a napkin, and she would tease him with her higher grades. Everything would be back to normal, she assured herself and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast.
When she turned around the corner she didn't know how to respond to the scene in front of her. It wasn't the first time something similar had occurred, but she had never seen so many people at her table before. There were Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs, Durmstrangs, and Beauxbatons on every table! If it was her first year at Hogwarts, she definitely would have a hard time finding the Gryffindor table.
She noticed Luna's bright pink sweater and went to sit next to her. "Morning," she greeted her and Ginny as she sat down.
"Hello, Hermione," Luna chimed.
"Hi, Luna."
Ginny was looking at her, moving her eyebrows in an attempt to catch her attention. "You want to tell me why you came late last night?" She sounded amused, probably thinking of something related to Viktor.
"Had a little argument with Ron-"
"What? I thought you were with Krum!" She seemed more disappointed than Hermione could have ever imagined.
"No, he left a bit earlier," to dodge the conversation, she shoved a piece of pie into her mouth.
"I don't get it, what did he do?"
Nice question.
"How do you know?" Luna cut in. “What if she did something?”
"He's my brother, I know he did something," she rolled her eyes.
"I see...was he the reason you were crying on the stairs, Hermione?" Luna's words made Hermione's eyes widen along with Ginny's. No, Luna, no, no…
"WHAT?" Everyone at their table turned their heads towards them.
Hermione poked her arm. "Keep it down, will you?" Ginny nodded and waited for her to speak. Hermione recounted the events of last night.
"One second, did you two actually," she took a quick look around and whispered, "kiss?"
Hermione blushed thinking about it, the memory brought her a ray of happiness. "Yes, it happened quickly but it still felt better than I expected it to be. Then, Ron started saying all that.." she trailed off. What was she supposed to say to his sister?
"That moron!" Her nostrils flared, and Hermione couldn't help but feel grateful. "I can't believe he said those things about Krum. I mean Viktor Krum, his all-time favourite player!"
"Exactly! I thought he would be supportive the most."
"Will you talk to him?"
"Eventually, yes," Hermione played with her fingernails. "But he needs to make an effort. It was rude and embarrassing."
Ginny observed her face for a while and finally asked what she was dying to know. "How about Malfoy?"
Hermione lifted her head. "What about him?"
"Do you think he was being friendly or was he plotting something nastier?"
"I'm not sure," Hermione answered, getting lost in her thoughts. "I mean, yes, his words are harsh and he's as arrogant as he's always been, but at that moment it felt like he was honestly curious about what had happened." Her eyes wanted to dart over to his table but she held herself back.
"Of course he was, to get back at you with that later!"
Hermione inhaled deeply. "Yes, you're probably right, but I just can't shake the feeling that he was a bit different," Ginny gave her a puzzled look, and Hermione continued, "or maybe I just needed someone to care," she didn't know why she said it. She would never admit something like that, but at that moment it felt good to let it out.
Ginny's expression softened and she put her hand on top of hers. "I wish I was there with you. Why didn't you say anything last night?" She sounded sad as she wished she was more aware of her friend and her brother's behaviours.
"I don't know I just—"
"Oh, hey Ron!" Luna waved sweetly.
"Hi, Luna," he greeted and turned back to the others, "uhm, can we sit?" He scratched the back of his head.
"It's not our property, is it?" Ginny's cold eyes fixated on him.
He and Harry looked at each other and sat down quietly. There was an unusually long silence between them. Someone would always say something, even when they were eating or when she was reading. Hermione was poking her food, but actually waiting for either of them to break the silence. Harry nudged Ron slightly, that little action didn't go unnoticed by Hermione.
Ron cleared his throat. "Um, Hermione?" She looked at him, "Can we talk?"
She slightly drew her eyebrows together. "About what?"
"You know, last night. How I was a bit-"
"Rude? Hurtful? Or just plain inconsiderate?" She stared right at him. She preferred all of the above.
He looked offended for a moment, but all he did was nod. "You're right, I shouldn't have said those things. I just wanted to make sure you were safe."
"Of course, I am, Ron. You know damn well that I can take care of myself."
"I know, I'm sorry, okay? I won't meddle in from now on." He looked genuinely sorry. Yet, she didn't know if he would stay true to his word. He acted on impulse in almost every situation.
"I'm glad to hear that," Her attention was drawn by someone else. "Hi, Viktor!"
Ron immediately turned his head in the direction she was looking at. Viktor greeted everyone with a nod of his head. Ron snorted while turning away from him.
"Can I have a second, Hermione?"
Hermione glanced at her friends and turned back to him. "I'll meet you in the corridor in two minutes," she smiled at him.
He nodded once again and left their table. Ginny's eyes were wide open and Hermione subtly nudged her. Ron on the other hand didn't look as apologetic as he was a few minutes ago. "Does anyone have a problem with my closeness with Viktor?"
"Not unless you learn a few tips about the tournament," Harry grinned.
"You know I won't do that, Harry."
"Yeah," he began, “Not considering the fact that he's a famous seeker and my rival… he seems alright," he shrugged and started eating.
She smiled a little before turning to the frowning ginger. Oh well.. "How about you, Ron? I don't want any more arguments between us."
He took a deep breath and smiled at her. "Who am I to say something, yeah do as you please. I'm keeping my mouth shut," he made a movement of zipping his mouth. That wasn’t the most genuine or the most honest answer, but it was a big step considering that he called Viktor their enemy the last time.
She knew the girls would have no problem. "Alright, then. I shouldn't keep him waiting," she took one last sip from her orange juice and walked towards the corridor.
Viktor was resting against the wall, waiting for her. She observed a few girls staring at him from afar. They turned away in a huff when she stood next to him. She couldn't blame them though—after all he was attractive.
"How are you?" She smiled, it was hard not to smile at him.
"I'm good. How about you? Are you good vith your friends?"
She shouldn't have said anything at all at the ball. "Yes we're good, it was a little misunderstanding." She sat on the windowsill. "What did you want to talk about?"
"Dumbledore spoke vith me." He pressed his lips together in an attempt to hide his smile.
"Oh?"
"Yes, and he asked if I was close vith you. I didn't understand at first, but he really cares about her students, doesn't he?"
Hermione was in her thoughts. It wasn't like Dumbledore to interfere with students' relationships. He was nosy at times, but why would he ask him that? Was it because of the age difference? Why was everyone trying to protect her from him, she could handle herself.
"Yeah, I guess." She couldn't help but ask one question. "What did you say?"
Viktor scratched his neck. "Vell, I told him that ve were getting to know each other and I really liked you."
Her hand went to her mouth to conceal her smile. She knew he was interested in her, otherwise, he wouldn't have taken her to the ball, but hearing him say it was entirely different.
Viktor held out his hand and looked at her cautiously. "Stay still," she didn't know if he was about to kiss her or not, but she wasn't going to move either way. When he reached out and shook something off her shoulder, she saw Malfoy watching them from afar and left when he came eye to eye with her. That was odd. Did he want his napkin back? She turned around to follow where Viktor was looking at and saw a strange-looking bug running away to a small crack in the wall.
"Ve don't have many bugs at Durmstrang, it's very kold for them."
She smiled and thanked him. She didn't hate bugs, but she wasn't very fond of them either. Still, she couldn't get it out of her head; the stripes on its head looked like it had glasses! At least she thought it did.
"Do you have plans?" He brought her attention back to himself.
"I'll go to the library."
"Oh, is it okay if I come vith you?"
A study partner? She definitely wouldn't say no to that! "Of course, I'd be happy."
-
She didn't have this in her mind when he asked to come along with her. She thought they would study together or they could research something and talk about it, but he was just watching her study. She tried to bring up topics that might interest him, but he kept the conversation short each time. He was either watching her study or pushing back the strands of hair falling to her face. At first, she thought it was a sweet gesture, but now she wasn't feeling the same. It was getting more and more difficult to concentrate next to him.
"Won't your friends miss you? You've been with me the whole day," she whispered.
"They are fine," he answered and looked at her for a bit, he obviously had something in his mind. "I vant to tell you something, a confession."
What could he possibly confess? "I'm listening."
"The day I asked you to the ball, vell, I was vaiting for you."
She smiled knowing she was right back then. "I figured,"
"I've been meaning to ask you that for some time and I occasionally vaited for you in the library."
"You mean before that day?"
"Yes, I vaited to get your attention, but you never saw me," he smiled nervously. He obviously didn't know that when Hermione Granger picks up a book it's almost impossible to distract her.
"Well, sometimes I don't even know how many hours pass when I study, but now I feel bad—"
"No, of course not, I should've come and talk to you much before that." He held out his hand, reaching her smaller hand, caressing softly. She put down the quill and watched his movement. His hand stroking over the soft skin of her wrist. He was always so gentle with her. He was much more muscular than her and she sometimes wondered if he was being so gentle on purpose, to make up for all his physical strength.
"Why do you come here so often?" He said looking at their hands, he watched them intently.
"What do you mean?"
"I've been here many times before and I never sav anyone else coming here as often as you do," he started caressing with his thumb.
"I like to read and learn new things." Easy as that.
“So that's your passion? Like my quidditch?"
"Exactly. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but we all have our own interests,"
Viktor dropped his head, chuckling softly. "What is it?" She asked, already feeling the contagious effect of his laughter.
"Nothing, I vas thinking how cool and amazing you are,"
What? Cool?
Yes, she did find the things she read cool, but no one said they found her cool for that particular reason. You could ask almost everyone in this whole school who was the coolest person they know and they would reply with 'Viktor Krum'. Because that's what he is! He is the most famous seeker in the wizarding world and now he's sitting in front of her telling how he is thinking about how cool she is?
"You earn that more than I do," she chuckled.
"Why do you think so?"
Because it’s true?
"I mean, I saw you at the world cup. I didn't know who you were before that, but I thought you were so cool."
The images from that day rushed into her mind. The people had drawn the colours of the teams they were supporting on their faces and it was the biggest wizarding crowd she had ever seen. There was a small detail of the Malfoy family spoiling their day, but she ignored it easily and recalled the moment Viktor flew around the stadium and caught the snitch. She supported him like she would support her own housemates.
"Everyone was cheering for you, my friends included."
"Yeah, it happens all the time. I got used to it," he said shyly and changed the subject. "Do you like to fly as well?" His eyes beaming as he asked.
"Me? Not at all," she shook her head quickly. It was her second to last least favourite class, last being Divination.
He looked confused at her reaction. "Why is that?"
"I never got to really connect with a broom, it's inconsistent for me,"
"Maybe I could help you?"
"Help me fly? I'm not sure.“
Harry tried so many times and failed. Ron tried once, too and immediately regretted it and said he can’t help her. She wouldn’t blame him though, she wasn’t the most eager student either. But she couldn't understand how they would enjoy being so high in the air with no safety and feel excitement, it just didn’t make sense to her. She noticed his smile faltering and before she could say anything, he stood up, walked next to her chair, and took the hand he was playing with just before and brought it to his lips. "I should probably leave you alone vith your books.“
She enjoyed their conversation, but this was what she wanted for hours. She nodded and watched him as he went. She didn't mind the stares he was getting, he was practically a celebrity and so many people had crushes on him. She enjoyed hanging out with him, but there was a fact she had agreed long ago; he would go back to his country. She understood that, but it pained her to think about it.
After reading for another 10 minutes, she went to her Charms class. It was untypical of Ron to be this quiet during the class, but she decided not to comment anything on it. They were still coming to terms with each other. He even left Harry and her alone after the class.
The duo strolled along the castle chatting. They stood in the middle of the bridge looking at the view in front of them. Sometimes they could discard the beauties they had around them, but she took it all in this time. She wondered what would muggles do if they ever came here? She didn't want another big city of buildings and traffic near Hogwarts; it was beautiful as it already was.
She looked to her right, her friend seemed lost in his thoughts as well. The tournament must've been stressing him out. The tournament!
"Harry, did you solve the clue?" He collected himself as he averted his eyes from her. "You told me you've figured it out weeks ago!"
His chest rose up and down, she knew he was annoyed by her at this moment, but someone had to step in. Ron obviously wasn't doing that.
"I suppose Viktor's already figured it out?"
"No, I mean, I don't know. We don't talk about the tournament. Actually, we don't really talk much," they had nice little conversations from time to time, but most of the time they were quiet, "He's more of a physical being."
She said the last part more to herself than himself thinking how he always liked to touch her hand or her hair, but the giggles coming from her best friend made her realise what she just said. "Not like that, you know what I mean," she tried not to laugh, but he was almost bursting. He didn’t even know that they had kissed and she knew for sure that he would tease her afterwards.
"Yeah, I do," he grinned.
She felt the urgent need to change the subject to avoid getting more blushed. "What are you going to do about the egg?"
Harry looked away and she went around his back to face him. "You can't postpone it. Harry, the task is in two days!"
"I know!" He looked down, toying with his fingernail.
"Potter?" They both looked at the source of the sound. It was Cedric. "Can we talk?"
She wanted to stay and try to talk some more sense into him, but he didn't seem like he would appreciate it at the moment. She looked between the two of them, and then sighed. She hoped things would go well for him and went up to the Gryffindor tower.
.
.
The next morning, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were sitting at the Gryffindor table. Ron was eagerly talking about something with Ginny and Hermione was too focused on a riddle to listen to them until he mentioned the clue.
"Oh, and Harry told me Cedric helped him with the clue, that's odd, isn't it? They're rivals, for Merlin's sake, they should be playing at each other's weaknesses not helping one another...I still don't understand why Harry told him about the dragons though," Ron was confused to learn that champions were helping each other, giving valuable clues. "It's the Gryffindor pride and Hufflepuff being the nicest as usual, I suppose."
Hermione didn't think it was odd at all; Ron was right about their House attributes. Harry would never sleep peacefully knowing that Cedric was the only one oblivious about the dragons. Cedric also returned the favor by giving Harry a tip about the message inside the egg.
"Perhaps, it's because they're both good people?" Hermione suggested absentmindedly, her attention fixated on a small piece of paper in her hands.
Through a shake of his head, Ron expressed his dissatisfaction with the situation. "Don't take it the wrong way 'mione, but that's just ridiculous. Neither of them would bat an eye if the other one was Malfoy, or any other Slytherin."
That brought her thoughts to a halt, and she raised her gaze from the paper and stared thoughtfully at Ron. "That is...true, I guess.“ Even if Harry helped a Slytherin, she doubted they would return the favour.
With that revelation, she turned to the Slytherin table where almost everyone was a pureblood. They would celebrate if Hermione Granger, a mudblood, was expelled from Hogwarts. Not all Slytherins were evil and messed with her and her friends, but she was aware that almost all of them believed they were superior. Even if they didn't say a word, they would sure as hell make muggleborns feel unwanted. She would not, however, give in to the pressure and allow them to have fun with her.
Ron noticed Hermione fidgeting with the paper he gave to her that morning. Harry asked him to show it to Hermione. "You've still not got a clue?"
Hermione looked back at the paper. "Come seek us where our voices sound, we cannot sing above the ground. That's Merpeople under the Black Lake," she read the rest, "an hour long you'll have to look, to recover what we took. Your time's half gone, so tarry not, lest what you seek stays here to rot."
"How Harry is going to stay underwater for an hour?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out." Harry let himself slump down next to Ron. "Do you have any idea Hermione?"
Hermione chewed on her lower lip, still staring at the paper. "Not yet. I need to research first." She took a short breath and turned to Harry. "I'm more curious about what they took from each of you. Is it your wands? Or brooms? They all make sense; Viktor and you are both excellent quidditch players. Cedric and Fleur are also exceptionally good with spells."
"I got my wand here, so that's not it, the broom too. I checked." He showed his wand to her.
"Oh," she took it in, "Then, I'm not sure what that could be."
"I'm more worried about the water, to be honest. If I can't breathe underwater for an hour, how will I ever find what they took?" Hermione observed him for a second; he didn't seem like he cared at all. Maybe he was just anxious.
"You're right, we should keep searching. I'll try to find something."
"Thanks, Hermione," Harry smiled at her half-heartedly. She returned his smile but was worried that she would be no help to her friend this time.
•-•
She had no idea how she would make time for the clue research with all the assignments she had to do, but she would try to find a way. She always would.
Spending two hours after the classes was enough to finish writing the Charms paper on 'Draught of Peace'. It was a much more powerful version of the Calming Draught which was used after a person suffering from trauma, shock, or emotional outburst. Draught of Peace, on the other hand, could relieve anxiety or agitation. The ingredients were all correct and she was almost done. After writing about the Cautions, she put down her quill and stretched her back. All the muscles in her body tightened and relaxed, leaving her feeling tired. Without a thought, she used her arms as a pillow to rest her eyes just a bit.
She didn't know how much time had passed when she felt someone sit next to her. Quickly raising her head and fixing her hair, she looked around. It wasn't an unfamiliar sight, she pressed her lips together feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Hi, Viktor."
"I didn't vant to interrupt, I can go if you want."
She reached for his arm and they both looked at each other. She retreated her hand. "We can stay a bit."
"Okay," he cleared his throat, "I saw the Headmaster again just now and I thought you'd like to knov-"
"Oh? Is he asking about you and me?" She asked sarcastically.
"Vell, he asked if we vere comfortable here at Hogwarts, but your name popped as well," he seemed to be enjoying the topic as he went on. "No vorries, apparently he's keeping an eye on everyone from our school."
"That sounds nice,"
It sounded odd actually.
"He also vanted me to tell you that he vants to speak with you."
Why would he want to speak with her? Was he planning on warning her about Viktor just like Ron? He wasn't that old! He was kind and considerate, why did their relationship would matter to anyone?
"Did he mention why?"
"No, but I think it's about the classes."
The classes? That didn't make sense. She was at the top of her year, he didn't have a reason to talk to her about a class… unless he wanted to do something else. The thought sent a jolt of electricity to her body. Could that be? A private lecture from Dumbledore himself??
She kissed his cheek with this new coming energy. "I'll see you later!"
She quickly ran to his office and whispered the password. Harry had told them the password if they needed it in an emergency, Dumbledore wouldn't mind. She stood outside his door and took a deep breath before knocking.
A hoarse but lively voice called in. "Come on in,"
She opened the door and walked to his desk. "I heard you wanted to see me, sir?"
"Ah yes, Ms. Granger. Please take a seat," he smiled at her, as warm as a ray of sunlight on a cold winter day.
"Would you like some tea?"