The Prophecy

CHAPTER ONE

"You spoiled everything, Ron!"

Hermione sat on the stairway, her face in her hands, sobbing. Why was Ron doing this? This went against all she thought to be true. Did he not like her after all? She was smudging her make up, her hair was falling apart, and big tears were now rolling off her cheeks and onto her beautiful dress, but she didn't care.

Suddenly she saw a shadow fall over her. She looked up. Viktor! How could she have forgotten about him? He had a puzzled exression on his face. Those eyes of his, so dark and mysterious, were now looking at her steadily. He took out a handkerchief offered it to her, trying to be chivalrous. Viktor, her Yule Ball date. She felt ashamed and childish, sitting on the stairs crying over the immature behavior of her best friend.

Viktor didn't know what to do. He struggled to come up with something to say, not knowing the right words. He felt so helpless. Finally he asked, "Hermione, is everything alright?" He wanted to pull her up into his arms. Questions raced through his head. Why was she crying? Had someone hurt her? He had a sudden inspiration.

"Vill you valk by the lake with me? Perhaps the air vill do you good." He tried to smile for her. Hermione stood up slowly.

"Yes, that would be lovely." She did not look at him. She was too embarrassed.

Hermione's heart was pounding and she shivered when Viktor grabbed her hand. She tried not to look at the people staring at them they walked out of the castle and towards the lake. For what it seemed like ages neither one of them spoke. The night was cold, but beautiful. The sky was dark and the stars were visible. Hermione looked up and admired the peacefulness of the night, and slowly her gaze trailed to Viktor's face. He suddenly stopped and turned around to face her. The moonlight was now shining on Hermione's reddened face. Her eyes were stinging from crying and she was nervously biting her lip.

"Hermione, I vont to explain things vith you. Is that right vord? No, not explain. Talk. I vont to talk vith you. I don't vont to see you upset. Haff I done something wrong?"

Viktor sighed and looked at Hermione, still holding her hand, gently stroking her palm. He thought to himself just how small and fragile her hand seems compared to his, which was big and rough.

Hermione finally looked at him and couldn't help but wonder...why her? Why did he choose her over all the other girls? He could've asked any of the girls that giggled and ogled him all the time. "Oh, Viktor," she murmured. She didn't want him to look at her the way he was now. The way he has been looking at her in the library, and in the Great Hall at meal times, and at the Ball. His eyes were mesmerizing. She almost forgot what she wanted to tell him.

"Viktor," she repeated a bit louder, making sure that she had his full attention. "I'm sorry for worrying you. You have done nothing wrong. You've made this evening the best of my entire life." She lowered her eyes to the ground.

Viktor's heart skipped a beat. "Hermione...vile that is the nicest thing anyvone has ever said to me, I am no fool; something has upset you. Vot is it?"

Hermione didn't want to explain. Did it matter now? Didn't what happened between her and Ron make clear the things that she had been so confused about? She might actually thank Ron someday, when she decided she wanted to speak to him again, that is. But she didn't want to lie to Viktor. If what they had - whatever that was - was ever going to go beyond this evening, she couldn't keep holding things back.

"Viktor, I was confused!"

It's easier to tell him without looking at him, she thought. She cleared her throat.

"I thought...oh, how do I explain this to you without complicating things?" She glanced at him quickly to see if he was still paying attention. Viktor was staring back at her, and she felt her knees shake. She shook her head, as if to clear it.

He took both of her hands in his, hoping that she would not shy away. "Just say vot is on your mind," he suggested.

"I wish it was that easy, but I can't do this to you. It's not fair." His hands were warm and sweaty. Hermione couldn't help stroking the inside of his palm.

"Just tell me the truth. That is all I vont of you," he encouraged, not taking his eyes off of her.

"Well, I had an argument with my friend Ron. About you. He accused me of 'fraternizing with the enemy,' and other horrible things. He was jealous that I went with you to the ball and for some strange reason I thought...I thought..."

"You thought vot?" he interjected.

Hermione's mind was racing. There was so much that she wanted to reveal, but for once in her life she couldn't put the words together. Was she foolish to think that Ron really like her as more than a friend, and that was why he was jealous of Viktor? How could she tell him without sounding conceited?

"I thought that Ron had feelings for me." She said it so quietly that Viktor had to lean forward to hear her.

"You thought..." Viktor let go of her hands and turned his face away from hers.

Oh no, what have I done? Hermione you stupid girl you just ruined your chance...

"This is so confusing. I know I don't like Ron that way. At least I never thought of him in any other way. I like him, but only as a friend. He's my best friend, just like Harry is. I never had feelings for him, and I was foolish to think that he felt something more towards me." She looked at his face, studying his eyes, wanting desperately to know what he was thinking right at that second.

Oh Viktor please say something, say anything. Viktor just stood there, looking at the ship in the distance. It felt like an eternity before he spoke again. Hermione seemed to be holding her breath the whole time.

"I thank you for being honest vith me," he said slowly. She didn't want to take her eyes off of him, afraid that he was about to disappear and she would never see him again.

He has nothing to be jealous of, Viktor thought to himself. I am just a boy trying to tell a girl that...that what, exactly? That he loved her? That he wanted to be with her? He couldn't tell her that. She would laugh at him, or be frightened away. Or would she? He glanced in her direction again.

There was only one way to find out.

"Hermione, I haff vonted to say for a long time...that I haff never felt this way before..." He paused, not knowing if what he was about to say would ruin everything or change his entire life. Or both. "My mother alvays told me to be true to my heart. 'Listen to it,' she said, 'it vill always guide you. You vill know what I mean ven you are ready.'"

"Your mother is a smart woman," Hermione interrupted.

It made him feel a little better.

"Yes she is, and I think my heart...I think I know that things happen for a reason. I believe in destiny. I believe that I vos meant to come here to Hogvarts, to meet you. And to...fall in love...with you."

Hermione gaped at him, afraid that she was about to faint. She began to tremble, and her eyes watered up and she looked up at the man standing in front of her, now trembling himself.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. You are cold, and I should haff offered...here."

Viktor took off his cloak and wrapped it around Hermione's shoulders. It wasn't necessary, but she didn't stop him, either. She was too shocked. Could he, Viktor Krum, the famous Quidditch Seeker that all the girls in the wizarding world were in love with, have just told her that...?

"I...don't know what to say..."

Viktor wanted to say more, so much more. How he thought there was a purpose behind their meeting, how his great grandmother read his palm for him and told him how he would meet a girl with wild hair and a big heart, and how they were destined to be together, how their love would prove to be the greatest power to destroy evil...but he didn't want to scare her away. She looked terrified enough as it was. He waited. Finally, she answered.

"Viktor, how can you have feelings for me, how can you be in..." She swallowed hard, suddenly finding that her throat was very dry, "How can you be in love with me? A muggle? You can have any girl you want. Surely there's someone...better-suited than I am..."

"No!" he interrupted forcefully. "Do not ever say that you are not good enough for me! You are smart and beautiful. Only you haff taken time to listen to me and get to know me. Me, not Viktor Krum, youngest seeker in the vorld! You haff accepted me the vay I am! I am honored to be in your presence. I am amazed that you, Hermione Granger, make time for me, show me your kindness and understanding. No one has ever vonted to know how I feel or vot I like, vot I am reading or thinking. They only vont to know how Viktor Krum, world-famous Quidditch player, did in the last game. Nobody takes time to know me. But you did! That is vy I feel the way I feel. And not only vos my mother right, but so vos my great grandmother ven she foretold..." Viktor bit his tongue and took a deep breath, wanting to take back the words he just spoke. He didn't want her to think that this was a joke, that he believed in some old woman's fortune-telling and that she should believe it, too. His great grandmother was known all around Bulgaria for her gift, but she wouldn't know that.

Hermione was stunned into silence. She had never heard him say that many words at once in the entire time that she had known him. She watched his face while she struggled to put the right words together again, trying to express her feelings. The silence was almost tangible.

"Hermione, please. I feel like I haff poured my heart out, and..."

Hermione pulled him closer. She put her hands on either side of his face, and did what she never thought she would have the guts to do it. She leaned in and pressed her lips against his before he could say another word. She closed her eyes, not wanting to spoil this moment. She felt shivers down her spine. The whole world seemed to be spinning around them. She had to put her hands on his shoulders to catch her balance. When she pulled back and finally opened her eyes, she saw Viktor smiling for the second time that night.

"Hermione..." He couldn't speak. Was that her answer, then? Did he really need her to say anything after all?

Viktor pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately, longer and deeper than her gentle kiss, but Hermione didn't mind. Nothing mattered at this moment, and she wished it would never end. Finally, she managed to extract herself long enough from his embrace to explain.

"Viktor, I want you to know that I feel what you feel...but it's hard for me to describe. I don't want to give you the wrong ideas. I know that you live far away, and that you are older than I am. I don't know if you could be patient. If you could wait for me."

He answered with another kiss, softer than his first, but no less passionate.

She paused to look at him. She wanted to tell him that he didn't know if she was ready for such a commitment at all. She had never had a relationship; no boy had ever paid much attention to her, let alone felt anything for her like what Viktor was proclaiming. She was flattered, and she still couldn't believe it was happening. It was like a wonderful dream she would soon wake up from. And how would she tell Harry and Ron and Ginny? Ginny probably would understand more than the boys would, but what would she tell them? That she had fallen in love, that she was Viktor Krum's girlfriend? Could she even claim that title?

"Viktor, I need to understand something."

"Vot is it, Hermione?"

"Does this mean that you want to be with me?" She hesitated, trying to read his eyes before he spoke. "Are we going to try to have a relationship? With you living in Bulgaria and playing Quidditch, and me in school, how will this work? How can we make this work? I can't apparate yet, and traveling to Bulgaria...well I don't know how my parents would feel about that..."

Oh Hermione, shut up! She thought to herself. You are rambling on and he hasn't even answered your question yet...

"Yes, if that is vot you vont. I vont to make this vork. I do know that I am older than you and that you need time. Take as much as you need. I vill not do anything you do not ask me to do. I can apparate. I do haff Quidditch games outside of Bulgaria, as you know. Ve can meet in Hogsmeade on veekends and on holidays. Ve vill owl every time ve get a chance, and after you finish school..." He stopped himself. "Vell, ve shall see vot happens. I don't vont to pressure you Hermione, and give you - how you say - false hope."

She felt a warmth in her heart that she couldn't explain. This wasn't some childish crush. This wasn't what she thought she felt for Ron. Could this be the real thing? Could this be love?

Viktor was watching her, wondering what was she thinking. Was she having doubts? He didn't want to rush her. He liked things the way they were right now, and though he was anxious for the future, he knew for sure that he wanted the one his great grandmother had spoken about; the one with Hermione Granger. When he came to this school, he hadn't expected anything, he didn't care if he won the tournament, and he didn't care about meeting other students. This was what he had been looking for. Her. He could still remember his great grandmothers words:

YOU SHALL SEEK HER IN A NEW WORLD
WILD HAIR, PURE HEART, NOT OF PURE BLOOD
THROUGH HER COMPANIONS YOU SHALL MEET
YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE WILL BE DEFEAT
NO WINNER, NO LOSER, NO CONTEST WILL STOP IT
DESTINY AWAITS YOU AND SHE IS YOUR FIT
FIND LOVE IN HER HEART, DESTINY WILL PREVAIL
THE WORLD IN YOUR HANDS YOU CANNOT FAIL
NO WIZARD, NO CREATURE, NO SPELL CAN AIDE
THE GOOD WILL RISE AND THE EVIL WILL FADE
LISTEN TO YOUR HEART IT WILL TELL YOU
IN THE RIGHT MOMENT, THE RIGHT THING TO DO
YOUR LOVE IS NO MYTH, YOUR HEART IS PURE
WHEN YOUR EYES WILL MEET YOU WILL BE SURE

There was more to the prophecy, but that was what he remembered. Should he tell her now, or would it scare her? He was scared himself; it wasn't something to take lightly. His family was very serious about it, as well. They had talked about it for weeks, wondering if it was the glimmer of hope that the entire wizarding world had been hoping for. It was true that no one person could destroy You-Know-Who...but could a union of pure love?

Viktor knew Harry Potter's story by heart. Everyone knew it in the wizarding world. Love had saved him. His mother's love saved Harry from Voldemort's spell. Could it work again? There was always hope. Maybe a fool's hope, but worth the try. Could he put her in such danger? How would she react when he told her the story, the prophetic riddle that his great grandmother had told him? He needed to know that her heart was with him, that she truly loved him. That would take time. But did they have time?

"Viktor?" she whispered. Hermione could swear she had heard something, but she couldn't tell what it was. Maybe it was something in the water, or maybe someone was walking around the grounds. She scanned the area around them. It was quite dark; the only light was coming from the moon and the windows of the Great Hall. There were few couples and small groups walking around, but nothing close to them. She moved closer to Viktor and grabbed his hand. She felt silly, like a little girl frightened by some noise in the dark.

"Vot is it, Hermione?"

"Shhhhh! Listen!" They both stood quietly, looking around. The faint rustle of clothing was unmistakable in the dead silence.

"I think there is someone listening to us," she whispered. "But I don't know who or where." Viktor slowly reached for his wand, prepared to hex the hell out of anyone that threatened Hermione. Still, no one appeared.

Realization suddenly dawned on her. She hissed loudly, "Harry, you have three seconds to show yourself, or I will never speak to you again!"

They heard some shuffling near them, and out of nowhere Harry appeared, still in his dress robes and with an extremely embarrassed look on his face.

"Harry James Potter! What are you doing spying on us? I cannot believe that you would do this! Did Ron put you up to this? Is he here too? COME OUT, RONALD!"

"Shhh Hermione, don't yell! He's not here. Viktor, I'm sorry mate, I didn't mean to. I mean...I didn't hear much of your conversation, or anything that you two were...er...doing." Harry was talking fast now and trying to ignore Hermione's steadily darkening expression.

"Then what are you doing here? And it had better be good, or you and Malfoy will have matching black eyes!"

"Hermione, I was worried about you! When Ron came back to the common room he was rambling on to himself that he yelled at you and said mean things and that you were crying and...I just wanted to see if you were ok. That's all! He didn't put me up to this; I told him that I was going to see if you were ok. And I took my cloak because I didn't want to look like a stalker walking around the grounds in the dark by myself! I'm sorry Hermione!"

Now Harry was facing Viktor, who seemed to be the more reasonable of the two. At least he didn't look like he was about to hit him, like Hermione was. But with Harry's surprise appearance, Viktor had instantly retreated back into his sullen, unhappy persona. His shoulders hunched, his brows drew together, and he stared resolutely at the ground. Hermione, noticing the change, instantly softened and turned to regard Harry with a wary expression.

"I accept your apology, Harry. However, if you ever use your invisibility cloak to spy on me again..." She allowed the threat to hang in the air.

"Never again, I promise! I'll see you both at breakfast in the Great Hall tomorrow, ok?"

As he was about to throw his cloak back on, she leaned in closer to him, and whispered a quiet "Thank you." At his puzzled expression, she elaborated, "It's nice to know at least one of my best friends is worried about me."

"We both are, Hermione. You know that. He's just as stubborn as you are. He'll get over it." Harry turned around and put his cloak back on. "Good night Viktor, good night Hermione."

Viktor glared in the direction that Harry had last stood under his cloak, not really knowing where he was, or if he had already walked away. After a moment, Hermione broke the silence.

"Viktor, maybe next time we should borrow one of Mad-Eye Moody's gadgets before we go on a walk."

The tension was broken, and they both laughed. Hermione felt so much better than she had an hour ago. What an evening this had been! As she thought about all that had been said, she remembered Viktor mentioning his great grandmother and fortune telling, which sounded interesting, to say the least.

"Viktor? Can you tell me more about your family, particularly about your great grandmother?" Hermione said this with a strange twinkle in her eye. Viktor didn't take the bait.

"You may ask me anything you vont to know about my family, my parents and grandparents, about Bulgaria and Quidditch and Durmstrang, but we shall leave my great grandmother for another day. It vill take much time to explain her story, I am thinking." He tried to smile, to hide his fear. He didn't want to tell that story, not yet.

"Alright, then. How about we go back inside and have some butterbeer, or maybe something warm. I don't think I can feel my toes anymore," Hermione laughed.

"Perhaps I vill need to carry you back, then?" he teased.

"While I'm touched by your concern, I'm fully capable of walking," she answered with a smile. They walked across the grass and back to the Great Hall in a companionable silence. Hermione glanced at the dance floor and caught a glimpse of Neville and Ginny dancing with their arms around each other. Ginny's head was on Neville's shoulder, and Hermione smiled to herself. Ginny looked at her and smiled back, noticing that Viktor was holding Hermione's hand. Hermione gave her best friend a look that Ginny understood to mean that she would explain later. Viktor led Hermione to a table. He kissed her hand softly and said, "I vill be right back. Please do not go anywhere."

"I promise to stay put this time," she answered.

Viktor went to get something warm to drink, but every few steps he kept turning around to look at her. He was still in a state of disbelief. Just an hour ago he had thought that he had lost his chance forever. It was a pleasant surprise to find that he had been wrong. He didn't understand all the words in his grandmother's riddle just yet, but he knew that he was on his way. He went over the words in his head. He had found the girl with wild her and pure heart, through her companions. That is, he had met Hermione through Harry Potter, the fourth Triwizard champion. He considered the next part of the riddle: "No winner, no loser, no contest will stop it." Did that mean that it didn't matter if he won or lost? Something to think about later. The "good and evil" was vague and abstract, but sounded easy compared to the "love" part, even though he knew it wasn't. He couldn't possibly make her love him so soon, and though he was assured that she had feelings for him, he needed time to explore their depths.

He wanted to write to his parents and to his great grandmother to tell them what was happening, but he didn't want to rush it and make it go away. It felt like his actions now could somehow change the path of destiny. He could remember his great grandmother, after telling him his fortune, whispering in his ear, "I believe in you Viktor. We all do. I know there is a greater power working with you to help you succeed. You have the power deep inside; believe in yourself and all is possible. You might not know this yet, but you will soon. You will know that when you find her."

Viktor grabbed the drinks and walked back to Hermione, smiling.

"What is so funny, Mr. Krum?" she asked, taking one of the cups from his hand.

"Nothing. I vos just thanking my great grandmother, and your parents, and Dumbledore, and perhaps even Karkaroff, and my parents..."

"What are you talking about?" Hermione said, laughing out loud. "Why do you need to thank my parents and Dumbledore and your headmaster? Viktor, did you spike those drinks?"

"No, Ms. Granger. I vont to thank your parents first for haffing you, Dumbledore for bringing you to this school, Karkaroff for bringing me here, and my parents and great grandmother for showing me the path..." He stopped himself, feeling his cheeks get hot, and he looked down at his feet as he sat down beside her.

"There you go again, talking in riddles. Will I ever meet your great grandmother? I want to ask her about my future, because she sure sounds like she knows what she's talking about."

"You haff no idea," Viktor murmured under his breath.

"Hmm?" Hermione looked at him

He quickly changed the subject. "Haff I told you how beautiful you look this evening? Not that you are not alvays beautiful, but tonight you are radiant, Hermione."

She blushed, and finally noticed how perfectly he had been pronouncing her name, almost like he studied for weeks.

"Oh, stop it, or you won't have any complements left for the future," she said, and leaned in to kiss his cheek. He suppressed a crow of excitement; she was already talking about the future! He was happy to see her so relaxed and he loved that she was finally comfortable around him.

Hermione once again could not believe what was happening to her. Since when was she so forward? Not that she was shy in any other situation. She was quite outspoken, known to her friends and the school at large as "Hermione the Know-It-All." But this was different. Everything with Viktor was different.

She really didn't want this to end. Almost thinking that if she went to sleep, she would wake up and find that this had all been a nice dream. She yawned. Viktor frowned.

"Am I becoming boring company?" he asked, frowning.

"No, no! This has just been a long day. It does take a bit of time and effort to make myself look this way, you know," she said, laughing again.

"Vell then ve must end this night the right vay. May I escort you to your dormitory, Ms. Granger?" He stood in one fluid movement, bowing to her and clicking his heels together as he reached for her hand. Hermione took it and stood as well.

"Well, you've certainly been Prince Charming tonight. Yes, you may escort me to my dormitory."

"Prince who?" Viktor looked at her, quite confused.

"It's a character from a muggle fairy tale...oh, never mind. I'll explain some other day," Hermione smiled. They walked together up the stairs through an empty corridor. The only other soul they passed was Peeves, who was singing, "Love is in the air." They both chuckled. The Fat Lady's painting came into view far too soon, in Hermione's opinion. She really didn't want to say goodnight, didn't want the night to end, but she was tired and she knew she couldn't stay awake for the whole night.

Viktor was a perfect gentleman. He bowed again in front of the entrance, kissed Hermione's hand and said, "Ms. Granger, I thank you for accompanying me to the ball. I hope you haff enjoyed my company as vell as I enjoyed yours." He kissed her again now on the cheek, hearing the Fat Lady behind them giggling and covering her eyes.

"Yes Mr. Krum, I did enjoy myself. Thank you for taking me to the ball. I felt like Cinderella!" She laughed at Viktor's confused expression.

"Muggle fairy tale again? Vould your library haff any of those? I am thinking that I shall haff to read them if I ever hope to understand you," he said with a smile.

"I'll make sure to send you my copy from home when I go for the holidays," she said. Hermione didn't care that the Fat Lady was now staring at them openly, awaiting more; she leaned in and gave Viktor a light kiss on the lips.

"Good night Viktor."

Viktor pulled away and, not wanting to spoil the moment, just stood there staring at her, looking the way he always did with those beautiful eyes of his. Hermione smiled and went through the portrait into the common room.

She did not expect anybody to be there, as it was quite late. She started tiptoeing to the girls' dormitory when she noticed someone by the fireplace.

"What are you doing here, Ronald?" she snarled. "Are you spying on me too?" Ron was awake in an instant, and she realized that he must've dozed off while waiting.

No he wasn't waiting for her, he explained. He was actually worried about Ginny, since she wasn't in yet...and maybe a little about Hermione, too.

"Hermione," he sounded a bit groggy. "I...er...I was such an idiot, I really didn't mean what I said. You know, about Krum and you and..." He was very embarrassed. He had always been able to talk to her about anything, and now he couldn't get a sentence out. "Harry told me..."

"What did Harry tell you, that he spied on me, too? Well, both of you need to know that I am big girl and can take care of myself. I don't need you two to baby-sit me. Viktor was a perfect gentleman tonight, and I really..." She stopped herself. She didn't want to tell Ron that she and Viktor were together just yet, and certainly not under these circumstance. She wasn't sure if he would understand. Would anybody understand? She decided to wait until morning to tell both him and Harry at the same time.

"Ron, if you don't mind, I am very tired and do not want to discuss this right now. If you can wait until morning, I will talk to you and Harry at breakfast. And don't spy on Ginny, either. Neville is a nice boy, and he will bring her back in one piece. I just saw them dancing to the last song, so she will be up shortly. And since I know that I wouldn't to see my own brother waiting for me like a nervous parent, I'd suggest that you go to bed as well, Ron. Goodnight," she said, with emphasis on the last word. Then she spun on her heels and headed up the stairs as fast as she could.

She collapsed on her bed without changing, as Lavender and Parvati were both already sleeping soundly. Hermione lay on her bed, smiling to herself and thinking about him. How lucky she was! But would everyone else accept their happiness? Her thoughts were interrupted when Ginny walked in with a big grin on her face.

"Oh Hermione, wasn't this a lovely evening?" she said in a singing voice. She sat on her bed and started to take the bobby pins out of her hair. Hermione smiled and answered, "Yes, Ginny. This was the best night of my life." Ginny looked at her and smiled back. She didn't need to tell her anything else, she already knew. Hermione Granger was in love. The girls washed up quickly, changed into pajamas, and went to bed. Hermione went to sleep fast, dreaming about Viktor and his eyes. Meanwhile, Ginny laid on her bed wide-awake, wishing that she could be as happy as Hermione seemed to be.

***

Hermione woke up last, and to her surprise found that the other girls were not in the room. It made her feel better, since it put off having to face the inevitable questions. She knew Lavender and Parvati wanted to know how her date with Viktor went. They were part of the group of giggling girls that Viktor loathed so much, but Hermione knew that they meant well. Hermione wanted to tell Ginny more than them of course, but knew that that would have to wait. She dressed quickly and ran down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

She felt nervous approaching the table where everyone sat. She quickly scanned the hall for Viktor, noticing that he wasn't sitting with the Slytherins. Harry and Ron were in the midst of a rowdy conversation with Fred and George, probably about the joke items they were currently working on. She quickly sat beside Ginny and Harry. They all stopped talking and looked at her.

"Well, well, look who's here," said Fred.

"Our Cinderella finally returns from the ball," said George.

"Come on guys, leave her alone," Ginny said, giving them a look.

"Thanks, Ginny," she answered, quickly looking away from them. She didn't want to give them more opportunities to question her, but they did anyway.

"So how is Mr. Krum? He's not in the hall yet. Strange, I thought you too would be snogging somewhere in the corner by now and making wedding plans," said George.

"Oh, put a sock in it," said Ron loudly.

"Oohh little brother, let's not be jealous. Jealousy is not a pretty sight," laughed Fred. Hermione was surprised by Ron's outburst. She felt a bit embarrassed for him. No one spoke until they were done eating, and then Harry turned to Hermione.

"Hey, do you want to go visit Hagrid with me and Ron?" She replied in the affirmative, telling Ginny that she would see her after. Ginny nodded.

"Good day, Mrs. Krum," said George, and they all laughed. Hermione knew they didn't mean anything bad by it, they were just teasing. The minute they walked out into the grounds towards Hagrid's, Hermione spoke.

"Wait, guys! I...need to tell you something, before you find out some other way, like through the Daily Prophet or something," she said in a hurried voice.

They both stopped and turned around to look at her.

"Oh Hermione, just spit it out," said Harry.

"Yeah, we knew you wanted to say something. After all, you don't hide it very well with all your smirking," Ron added.

Hermione didn't know where to begin. She didn't want them to assume things, because even though they were her best friends, they were still boys. Ginny would understand perfectly. She didn't want them to laugh at her, so she decided to tell them in simple, straightforward manner.

"Viktor and I are...well...we're seeing each other," she said quickly, the last words quite mumbled.

"Huh? You mean..." Ron was looking at her with wide eyes, his mouth agape. Harry looked at them both, scrambling for something to say to prevent the inevitable screaming match.

"Hermione, do you mean that he's your...boyfriend?" Harry asked, needing clarification. Ron shot him a deadly glance. She nodded.

"Well, I hope that you and Krum will live happily ever after," Ron said angrily, and he stalked towards Hagrid's.

Hermione stood there, red-faced. She had known that he would be affected by her decision, but didn't understand why. If he didn't like her, which she thought that she had determined last night, why couldn't he be happy for her? Harry let out a big sigh, and faced Hermione.

"Give him some time, he'll get over it. I'm happy for you, Hermione. Really. I have never seen you smile so much. If Viktor can make you feel like that, then I'm fine with it. But he'd better not mess up. I know there will be a line of Weasleys ready to kick his butt!" Hermione hugged Harry and laughed.

"Thanks Harry, I'm glad that at least one of you can be mature about this," she said, watching Ron's stride angrily toward Hagrid's hut.

"I'd better join him before he goes around kicking the pumpkins, or something. You'd better go and tell Ginny, since I don't think you've had time yet."

"Thanks again, Harry," Hermione said, turning around and walking back up the hill and towards the castle.

"So the mudlblood found herself a boy toy, eh?" said a familiar sneering voice.

"Oh Malfoy, give it up!" Hermione said, making fists at her sides, getting ready just in case she got the urge to punch him again. Malfoy was smirking at her and trying to provoke her more, but stopped all of a sudden walked quickly the other way.

"Yeah, you'd better run away, ferret-boy," said Hermione under her breath. A hand touched her shoulder and she turned around.

"Viktor! You startled me!" she said, smiling at him.

"Good morning, Hermione. Did you sleep vell?"

"Yes, I did," she replied shyly, "And you?"

"Vell, I don't know about sleeping much. Ven I got back to the ship, I first vos yelled at by Karkaroff for breaking curfew, and then by Alexei for being late and making him stay avake vorrying."

"Did you tell anyone? About...us...?" she asked, looking down at the ground.

"I did not tell Karkaroff. He vould not understand, nor is it his business. Alexei, he figured it out on his own. He said that I could not stop smiling, so he knew vithout me telling him. I assume that you haff told your friends?"

"Well, I tried," said Hermione matter-of-factly. "Harry took it well, wished us luck and then threatened you with all the Weasleys if you break my heart. Something about kicking your butt back to Bulgaria." He smirked.

"And your other friend?" He really did not want to know the answer, but he didn't want to seem like he cared too much, either.

"Harry said it will take him some time to accept it, but he will be fine. After all, he is my friend. At least, I hope he still is..." Hermione watch the two of them entering Hagrid's hut.

"Hermione, you know that I vould not make you choose between me and your friends..." Hermione stopped him.

"Viktor, Ron needs to grow up. He will come around eventually. We might have a problem with your headmaster, though," she said, looking up at him.

"Do not vorry about him. I vill handle him soon enough," said Viktor mysteriously.

What did he mean by that? Hermione thought. She decided not to question him further, for now.

"So what do you want to do today, since my friends just abandoned me?"

"Vy don't we start with some breakfast?" Viktor took her hand and led her back to the castle. "And along the vay ve vill show my fan club that I am no longer accepting any knickers or Bulgarian flags vith lipstick on them." She laughed out loud, and he chuckled as they made their way to the Great Hall.

Ginny was still sitting at the table with Neville. As Viktor and Hermione approached them, her eyes fell to their linked hands. She gave Hermione a smile and a wink.

"Well, now you finally have someone to hang out in the library with, you lucky girl!" Hermione laughed, Viktor smirked, and Neville looked lost.

Lucky, thought Hermione as she stole another glance at Viktor. Yes, she was.

***

The days leading up to the end of the tournament were very busy for Hermione. She was going back and forth between helping Harry with the tasks, trying to reason with Ron, and spending as much time as she could getting to know Viktor. Most of the girls stopped giving her dirty looks when she walked by with Viktor or by herself. Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherin gang kept up their insults, but only when Viktor wasn't around.

Finally the second task was upon them. Hermione was anxious. She really wished for this whole thing to be over, but she knew that that also meant that Viktor would be going back to Bulgaria soon. She was saddened by the thought of not knowing when she would see him again. This evening was not going very well. She thought that Viktor seemed distant. She had tried to make him laugh, to no avail.

"Viktor, are you worried about tomorrow?" she finally asked.

Viktor was staring out the window. The library was deserted. Madam Pince was sitting at her desk shuffling papers and not paying attention to them at all. He didn't want to tell her about the task. They really didn't discuss the tournament, for the obvious reason that her best friend was his competitor; he didn't want her to be in an awkward situation with Harry. He also didn't want to worry her about it more than she already was. Karkaroff had helped Viktor figure out the golden egg. Viktor knew that the merpeople would take the thing that he would miss the most and hide it somewhere in the lake. His task was to find it within an hour.

When he first understood what the riddle meant, Viktor had immediately thought of his family, but soon realized that the person he thought of the most was Hermione. He knew that the task would involve her somehow. He was worried for her safety. But he was not allowed to tell her, or anyone, what the task was.

"Yes, I am concerned about the task." He turned to her with a heavy sigh and took her hands in his. "Hermione, no matter vot happens, I just vont you to know that I care for you deeply, and that I vould do anything in my power to ensure your safety."

What did he mean by that? She knew he couldn't discuss it if it had to do with the task, and she suddenly really didn't want to know. She squeezed his hands and smiled.

"I know Viktor, I know."

They were interrupted by Professor Snape, who walked into the library and immediately approached their table.

"Ms. Granger, please go to the Headmaster's office immediately. Mr. Krum, return to your ship to see your Headmaster, as well."

They were both confused, but they didn't have a chance to say anything else. Snape was not moving. Viktor got up first, and Hermione followed. She hoped Professor Snape would give them a bit of privacy to say goodnight, but he didn't. He followed them into the hallway.

"Go," he urged.

Hermione quickly glanced at Viktor and said, "Good luck tomorrow, Viktor. I'll be cheering for you." Viktor just nodded and gave her one last look, his expression pleading. But under Snape's unwavering gaze, Hermione turned and headed towards Dumbledore's office. Once there she was surprised to see Ron, Cho Chang, and a young blond girl who introduced herself as Gabrielle, Fleur's sister.

"Ron, do you know what's going on?" she asked.

"No, I don't." He looked as puzzled as she felt.

Anything else that he might have said was interrupted by the sudden appearance of Professor Dumbledore, who walked in and smiled at all of them.

"I'm happy to see you all. I know that you must be confused as to why you're here so late at night. Let me explain..."

***

Viktor looked around the grounds. Everyone was walking towards the lake to watch the second task. He noticed Harry walking with his friend Neville. He looked nervous and slightly sick. As he reached the place where he was standing, Viktor stuck out his hand and muttered, "Good luck."

Harry took it with a look of surprise. "Um...thanks. You too," he responded.

All three of them made their way in silence to the edge of the lake, where the second task awaited them.

***

"Let the second task begin!" Dumbledore's booming voice said at last. Viktor stood by the edge of the platform, anxiously waiting for the cannon to go off. Karkaroff's hand felt heavy on his shoulder. He was whispering pointers to him in Bulgarian, but Viktor was not listening to him at all. All he was thinking about was Hermione, hoping that she was ok.

The cannon boomed. Viktor performed his transfiguration spell and jumped into the icy water. It did not take him long to find her. She was tied by her ankle next to Ron and Gabrielle. Cedric had obviously already rescued Cho, evidenced by the lack of a fourth captive. Viktor noticed that Harry was already there, struggling to release Ron. Viktor concentrated on his own struggle to free Hermione.

She looks so peaceful, he thought, almost in a dream-like state. He admired her face for a second before he finally freed her from the bindings and pulled her up to the surface. After breaking the surface, the shark features reverted back to normal. Hermione was now awake, and obviously frightened.

She shivered uncontrollably in the frigid water. Dumbledore had explained to them what would happen, but now that it was over she was overwhelmed by what had transpired. The realization that she, out of all people in Viktor's life, would be the one he would miss the most was shocking, to say the least. She was flattered and frightened and relieved all at once. Viktor quickly got out of the water and pulled her up after him, wrapping a cloak around her wet body. Karkaroff and his schoolmates were shouting things to him, but he didn't pay any attention to them. He wanted to make sure that she was all right first.

"Hermione, are you alright?" he asked, leaning closer to her. He was afraid that she might hate him for putting her through this. Hermione stopped shivering long enough to look into his face.

"I'm fine. A bit wet, but fine," she assured him.

He breathed a sigh of relief. She was ok. He looked around to see if the other champions had gotten back yet. He noticed that Cedric and Cho were standing on the platform drying each other off, and Fleur was there also...alone. He realized that Harry, Ron, and Gabrielle were still missing, and the time was about to run out. Everyone was pacing around the platform, staring at the lake. Finally, he saw Ron surface, pulling Gabrielle towards the stairs. Fleur ran to them crying, trying to help her sister.

Where was Harry? He noticed that Hermione was now hugging Ron and whispering something to him. He didn't mind, he knew that it just meant that she was worried about him. Harry surfaced shortly after, out of breath. He was helped onto the platform amid loud cheers and applause from all the students. Hermione ran to Harry and wrapped her own cloak around him, kissing his forehead and talking to him in low tones.

Viktor couldn't hear a word they were saying with all the commotion around him. Dumbledore spoke once more, but the words were a blur to Viktor. He kept staring at Hermione by Harry's side, and he couldn't help but feel...a bit jealous. He had saved her...she should be by his side...

Karkaroff was cursing in Bulgarian, something about unfairness and cheating. He understood from bits and pieces of the conversations around him that he had been bumped to third place, even though he had gotten out of the water right after Cedric. But Viktor didn't care about that. He wanted Hermione to pay more attention to him. He felt hurt, and a little betrayed. Alexei walked up to him and threw his arm around his shoulders.

"Come on Viktor, stop sulking. Let us go before Karkaroff yells at you, too." They walked to the boats and then to their ship. Viktor went to his room and laid down on the bed.

"Viktor, do you vont something to eat? I'm going to the kitchen for a snack."

Viktor just shook his head and turned on his side, away from Alexei. He wanted to be left alone. After his friend left, Viktor got up and grabbed a quill, and began writing to his parents, explaining the events of the last few weeks. He knew his letter was long overdue. He hadn't written to them for a month. He wanted to explain all that had happened, he wanted to complain to someone about this situation that he couldn't really explain. He didn't even know what he was really feeling. Why was he upset with Hermione? She was just comforting her friend, one of her only friends. Harry deserved her attention, too. Hermione had struggled to divide her time equally between her friends and him. How could he be mad at her?

A loud knock made him startle.

"Come in," he said, annoyed that someone was disturbing him right now. He hoped that it wasn't Karkaroff; he didn't really wanted to deal to him right now. Viktor got up and turned away from the door, facing the small round window of his cabin.

"Viktor." The warm, familiar tone rang in his ears.