The room was spinning, her heart was racing, and Krum was the cause of both. The dance started less than an hour ago and Hermione was already having the time of her life. Krum was the one to ask her to the Yule Ball (though she thought the idea of the guy needing to be the one to ask the girl out was completely outdated, she never would have asked him out herself). He swept her off her feet, even with a language barrier between them. Hermione was nothing if not determined though, problem solving was one of her best non-magical abilities, and Krum was a fast learner when Hermione was the one teaching. He learned English almost as fast as she learned Bulgarian.
“Her-mow-niny, vould you like a drink?” Krum asked after another hour of dancing.
“That would be lovely, thanks.” The two started toward the drink table when Hermione saw Harry, Ron, and the Patil twins all sitting at a table looking dejected. “I think I’ll talk to Harry and Ron for a second, you go on ahead, we’ll catch up.”
He nodded and kept walking, she veered off over to the boys and sat down. “Hot, isn’t it? Krum just went to get some drinks, would you like to join us?”
It looked like Harry was about to answer, when Ron cut him off, “No, don’t want to go around fraternizing with the enemy, do we.” Harry rolled his eyes and shot an apologetic look at Hermione, but stayed silent. He just got Ron back, he wasn’t about to risk the, admittedly still fragile, friendship over Ron’s jealousy.
“Fratern- Ron you’re horrible!” Hermione started getting angry. “Up to bed both of you!” She chased them up the stairs and collapsed once they were gone. Krum found her in tears with her shoes off a few moments later.
“Vat ‘appened?” He asked, wiping her tears with one hand, and holding her hand with the other.
Hermione sniffed and just shook her head, burying it in the crook of Viktor’s neck. She cried for a bit longer. When she lifted her face again she saw she left tear stains on his shoulder.
“A small price to pay for a vonderful girl to feel better. Let’s get you up to bed.” He stood and held out his hand for her to take. She grabbed it and they headed up to Gryffindor tower. When they got to the portrait hole they stopped and looked at each other.
“Admittedly…” Hermione started timidly, looking up at the Bulgarian through her lashes, “I’ve had a wonderful night with you. I would hate for it to come to an end like this.” She looked away, unable to keep eye contact. She could feel the heat of her dark blush start to spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears.
Krum put his index finger under her chin and drew her lips into one of the softest, yet most passionate kisses she’d ever experienced. He drew back, looking lovingly into her eyes. “Her-mow-ninny, zis ‘as been a vonderful night. I am glad you accepted my invitation, and ‘ope you will accept zis one as vell. Vould you go to ‘ogsmeade vith me? As my girl friend?”
Hermione’s breath caught in her throat. Tonight has proven to be an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, and it doesn’t look like she’s getting off the ride any time soon. “I- I would love to Viktor.”
He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Zen I vill see you again tomorrow. Do not worry about zose boys you are friends vith. Zey vill see soon enough what I am already looking at.” He made his way down the stairs, back to his quarters on the ship. She watched after him until she could no longer hear his footsteps.
“Flibbertigibbet,” Hermione whispered to the Fat Lady, finally letting herself into the Gryffindor common room. She made her way up the steps to the girls dormitory, leaning against the door as she closed it with a sigh. She was going to be a blushing mess tomorrow but she suspected it would be worth it.