True Feelings Are Worth Telling

Chapter 23

Yule Ball

Christmas Day had arrived and that was the day of the Yule Ball. Hermione was nervous and excited about it at the same time. She really didn't want to go, but someone unexpected asked her to accompany them. It would have been rude to refuse, so she accepted the invitation.

There were only four hours left before the ball started when Harry and the Weasley clan started a snowball fight. The snow had been untouched except for where the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons had walked to the castle. Hermione decided to sit this one out, not wanting to get wet from the melted snowballs. She sat on the steps watching the glittering snowballs being thrown at her friends. It was just as fun sitting down as playing. Ron would occasionally toss a snowball her way and of course she retaliated, always hitting him in the back of the head.

She checked her watch; it was five o'clock. She needed to go and get ready. With everything she had to do to her hair and make-up, (which her mom had sent her), she needed just about two-and-a-half hours to get ready. Not to mention she had to walk a long way to get to her "date."

"I'm going to go in and get ready!" She stood up and shouted.

"You need three hours?" Ron called, not noticing the head sized snowball collide with the side of his face. "Who are you going with?" he yelled after her.

She waved and turned around, turning a deep shade of red. She was embarrassed that Ron really wanted to know who she was going with. It was flattering in a way, but annoying, as he kept asking her over and over hoping that he would catch her off guard.

Hermione reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, said the password, fairy lights, and walked into the common room. The common room was full of girls swapping accessories and make-up to wear with their dress robes. Hermione was prepared ahead of time, everything planned out. She knew what necklace she would wear, how her hair will be placed, all the little details.

She walked up to the girls fourth year dormitory. She went over to her trunk and pulled out her blue dress robes, which covered bottles of Sleekeasy Hair Potion. She was going to start with her hair first, being that it would take the longest. It took about an hour to get it tamed, not counting the time it took to pin it into a knot at the back of her head. She then changed into her blue dress robes, straightening them out as she looked in the mirror. Tucking one last strand of hair behind her ear she was ready.

Slowly walking down the stairs she headed to the common room, but no one was in there. Quickly she ran to the portrait hole, and headed down to the Entrance Hall. No one was down there, but she did hear people working in the Great Hall, no doubt getting ready for the ball. Outside, a few teachers were preparing the decor, with dozens of rose bushes and fairy lights. Others were readying Father Christmas and his reindeer.

The teachers didn't notice Hermione walking through their work, so she kept on her way. Her walk lead her right where she need to be , by the lake, right in front of the Durmstrang ship. He date hadn't exactly told her what do when she had gotten to the ship. He had only said to meet him there. This she did, standing nervously at the bottom of the plank that lead onto the ship. She didn't want to go on the ship because she knew not where to find him, so she decided just to wait.

She turned around, admiring the castle, which the teachers had just finished decorating. Even from this distance, it was beautiful. The Beauxbatons had just come in their carriage. Hermione shivered; she had forgotten her cloak.

"Is vat you Hermy-own?" asked a voice behind her.

She turned around. "Hello Viktor."

Viktor Krum walked down the plank, beside him Karkaroff was looking as smug as ever. When Viktor reached the place where Hermione was standing, he held out his arm to her, through which she looped her own arm. They started off toward the castle, Karkaroff right by their side. Hermione's heart was racing as they reached the Entrance Hall. As they stepped inside, everyone looked their way. No one seemed to recognize Hermione. She saw Ron, Harry, Parviti, and Padma not far away. She meant to wave to them, but she was shaking far too much.

Professor McGonagall's voices boomed over everyone, "Champions over by the Great Hall doors, please!"

Hermione straightened her posture as best she could, which was much easier without the weight of the books she had been practicing with. As for smiling without vomiting, that was harder. She decided she would say "hello" to Harry and Parviti just in case she didn't get another chance.

"Hello Harry. Parviti." She nodded in their direction.

Parviti was staring intently at Hermione, as was everyone else. Their mouths hung open and even the Slytherins couldn't think of an insult to spew. Ron walked by without a word, not even looking up from the ground. This saddened Hermione and she could not figure out why he was acting that way.

Now that everyone was in the Great Hall, McGonagall lead the champions into the hall. She lead them up to a round table where the judges were seated. All of the usual long, rectangular house tables had been replaced by large, round tables.

The champions took their seats at the table alongside the judges. On their plates were menus, but no one was quite sure of what to do. Professor Dumbledore picked up his menu, and after glancing over it, call out "pork chops". Hermione read over her menu, amazed at all the choices. She finally decided on the chicken, and when she called out her order, her choice appeared upon her plate along with all the side dishes. She didn't begin to eat right away, because she was listening to Krum speak of the castle his school was located in.

"It isn't as big as Hogwarts," he told her. "Nor is it as comfortable. Ve only have four floors, and the fires are barely lit. Our grounds are bigger though. Too bad ve can't enjoy them in the vinter and in the summer ver are always flying."

Krum's words to Hermione sparked an argument between Dumbledore and Karkaroff. Hermione and Viktor tried to ignore the conversation as they began to consume their meals. They were silent for most of the meal, overhearing everyone else's conversations. As she ate, Hermione thought that it would be a good idea to teach Viktor the correct pronunciation of her name. She had grown tired of being called "Hermy-own".

"Her-mi-oh-nee." She said it as slowly and clearly as possible.

Viktor repeated back to her, "Herm-own-ninny."

"Close enough." Hermione smiled as she looked over at Harry.

Once everyone had eaten all they could, everyone was asked to stand as Dumbledore waved his hand, sending the tables to the edge of the room. With another wave of his hand, a platform appeared with numerous instruments and The Weird Sisters took the stage. The approving applause was so loud it caused everyone's ears to ring.

Krum took Hermione by the hand as the champions began the dance. The first notes the band played were mournful in tone as Hermione and Krum danced in their spot. This was perfectly fine with Hermione, as she didn't know how to dance well. Unfortunately for her, the next song was composed of a faster beat. She wasn't sure what to do, so she tried her best to move with the song. Luckily, everyone seemed to more focused on their own dance partners, so her lack of skill went unnoticed. Viktor didn't seem to mind her dancing, so Hermione quit fretting and began to enjoy herself. The two of them danced to a few more songs before stopping to take a breather.

"Shall I go get us some drinks?" Viktor asked, raising his voice over the music.

"Sure! I'll be over there with Ron and Harry," Hermione replied.

Viktor only shook his head as the made their way through the crowd, in opposite directions. Hermione reached the table just as Parviti was leaving the table to dance with Beauxbatons.

"Hey guys! Hot in here, isn't it?" Hermione was fanning herself. "Viktor has gone to get drinks."

"Viktor? He hasn't demanded for you to call him Vicky yet?" Ron asked hotly.

"Ron, what's the matter?" Hermione asked, trying to stay calm.

"If you don't' know, then I am not going to tell you!" Ron spat back.

"What?!?" Hermione was clueless as to what the matter was.

"He's from Durmstrang! You're fraternizing with the enemy!" Ron was beginning to get loud.

"Enemy? Who's the one who made a big commotion about him coming? Who wanted his autograph? Who has a model of him in their dormitory?" Hermione was becoming frustrated.

Ron ignored her questions. "I bet he asked you in the library, didn't he?"

Hermione glared back at him. "As a matter of fact, he did. What's it to you? Are you jealous?"

Harry had tired of the arguing and thus cut in. "I haven't got a problem with Hermione coming with Krum!"

Both Ron and Hermione ignored him.

"Just go off and find your Vicky will you? I bet he misses you!" Ron snapped.

"Don't you ever call him Vicky!" Hermione jumped out of her seat and stormed off through the crowd.

She went across to the other side of the Great Hall and sat at an empty table. Her anger was boiling over. Who did Ron think he was telling her who she could and could not go to the ball with? If he cared so much, he should've have asked her to the ball himself. And not the day before the event. Ron was the typical boy if ever there was one.

Hermione calmed down when Viktor came over with the Butterbeer. A warm feeling flowed through her as she drank the golden liquid. The argument with Ron didn't seem to even matter any longer. Hermione and Viktor conversated for a short while and when a slow song began, they got up to dance. She was have so much fun now that Ron had been driven completely from her mind.

Hermione danced the night away and she, like many others, didn't want the night to end. But at midnight, the last note played and the last chord was sung. Everyone joined in a last round of thunderous applause that could have awoken the dead.

Everyone filed out of the Great Hall, filling the Entrance Hall with people saying goodbye to their dates from other houses or schools.

"Goodnight, Herm-own-ninny," Viktor said quietly.

"Goodnight, Viktor. I had a great time. Thanks for asking me." Hermione kissed him on the cheek, then turned, running off to the Gryfindor common room.

Entering the common room, she was met by Ron who was still visibly angry.

Ron raised his voice to ask, "Why did you have to go with Krum?"

"Because he asked me and I didn't want to turn him down. He was being so sweet!" Hermione was practically yelling.

"Yes. But why him?" Ron countered.

"Ron, if you don't like it, then you know what to do next time!" She responded, her anger rising again.

Ron crossed his arms over his chest. "And what would that be?"

"When the next ball is announced, ask me before someone else does! And not because you don't have a date the day before!" Hermione wished her tone wasn't so harsh.

Ron just looked at her, trying to speak, but unable to find the words. Hermione didn't wait for him to find them either, and made her way up to the girls' dormitory. She heard Ron's voice yell from below, "You completely missed my bloody point!"

Hermione simply rolled her eyes as she stepped into the dormitory and slammed the door behind her. She changed into her nightgown and brushed her hair. As she climbed into bed, she tried to make sense out of all these arguments. The only conclusion she could make as that Ron really liked her. But that couldn't be. Could it?