Convinced

Hermione sat down at a free table in the library. She had already checked out about ten books for Harry that were probably collecting dust on his bedside table. If only Harry hadn't been entered into the Triwizard Tournament. Then I could be doing something I want to do.

She opened the Wizarding Encyclopaedia. One thought crossed her mind. Why wasn't Harry doing any research? After all, it was his task.

Sure, Harry was busy finding a date for the Yule Ball, but so was she. Hermione kept reminding herself that Harry needed a date, as opposed to her. She wanted a date, but everyone knew that Ron was a bit thick; he would wait until the day before the dance and then ask her.

"Screaming egg..." Hermione muttered as she scanned the page. "Golden egg..."

"There's nothing in there about the Second Task," a voice said behind her, causing Hermione to jump.

She turned around to see Viktor Krum standing above her.

"Thanks," Hermione said, snapping the book shut and setting it aside.

Hermione began to pick up another book when she realized that Viktor wasn't leaving.

"May I help you?" Hermione asked ignorantly.

"You're not supposed to help Potter," he reminded her.

"You're not supposed to speak to a lady if she's obviously not interested in talking to an arrogant Quidditch player."

"Excuse me?"

"I didn't stutter," Hermione said, returning to the book.

"I vill haff you know, there are plenty of girls back in Bulgaria who are dying to date me," Viktor said, sounding quite pleased with himself.

"Then why don't you go back there and talk to one of them?"

Viktor grinned and sat down in the empty chair next to her. "You are a very intelligent vitch. Vat is your name?"

"Hermione Granger."

"A beautiful name reflects upon the one it belongs to," Viktor said in a sort of dreamy tone.

"I'll assume Viktor is a family name?" Hermione shot back.

"You have quite a temper."

"You have quite an ego," Hermione said, looking up from the book she was pretending to read.

"I have seen you in here every day. I haff been vaiting for you to be alone," he told her.

"So, you've been stalking me?" Hermione asked.

"Not stalking. Just doing... research," Viktor said, raising an eyebrow at her.

"I really don't see what all of those girls see in you," Hermione said angrily. "You are a self-absorbed Quidditch player who always gets his way."

"You are right," Viktor said.

"Yes and - wait, what?" Hermione said, realizing what he had said.

"You are right," Viktor repeated himself. "I do alvays get vat I vant."

"You don't get it, do you?" Hermione asked. "I'm not interested in you."

"And I know vy," Viktor said. "It does take some convincing to get the girls to like me, as strange as that may seem."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Hermione asked.

"I feel very attracted to you, Herm-i-own," Viktor said. "You vill go to the Yule Ball vith me."

"First of all, my name is Hermione," she corrected him. "Second, I will go to the Yule Ball with whomever I please."

" I believe you may need come convincing," Viktor said.

He quickly leaned in and kissed her hard on the lips.

Hermione waved her arms frantically, but it was no good. She was stuck. But after a second or two, Hermione realized that the kiss felt very good. In fact, she found herself liking it.

When Viktor pulled away, Hermione was in some kind of daze. That kiss had been surreal.

"Shall I pick you up at 7:45?" Viktor asked.

Hermione merely nodded, unable to speak. She watched as Viktor left the library and headed toward the Great Hall.

Both Lavender and Parvati ran up to her, almost immediately after Viktor had left. They flooded her with questions, but Hermione didn't hear any of them. She just remembered one thing Viktor had said. "It does take some convincing to get the girls to like me."

Hermione knew she had fallen right into his plans; she had been convinced.