Viktor Krum asked... Hermione!?

Hermione walked at a very fast pace towards the Quidditch pitch. She was in such a hurry that she did not notice her diamond bracelet fall off her slender wrist and fall upon the dry grass. Grabbing her books closer to her chest, she broke into a run.

The Yule Ball was only a few days away and she had not yet found a partner. Of course, nobody had asked her yet. I mean, who would as an insufferable little miss 'know-it-all'? Those very words swam around in Hermione's mind as she brushed her brown curls off her face. She hesitated as she opened the gates to the pitch.

The first thing she saw was Harry and Ron flying about; laughing like maniacs. She shook her head and made her way towards the barrier that kept her outside from the pitch. She watched as Ron flew towards the hoop after the Quaffle that Harry had thrown; almost falling off his broomstick. Ron caught the ball only inches away from the middle hoop. Harry swore in a joking way and the boys burst out into laughter. Hermione felt herself trying to restrain a giggle.

She had to make herself noticed in front of her best friends so that either one of them would ask her to the ball. She put down her books beside her and leaned upon her elbows, gazing at the two boys playing together.

Still, they did not notice her so, she tried waving to them but they still kept on flying and laughing together. Hermione cursed at herself. Perhaps they already have partners or perhaps I should just get out there onto the pitch! Hermione silenced her thoughts and leaving her schoolbooks, she walked her way around the back to where there was a swinging gate that would enable her to get onto the pitch.

Before she could reach out to open the gate and step out, she felt a tap upon her shoulder. Alarmed, she spun around and awed at the boy who stood before her. Boy? No, not boy. A young man. Well, he did look like a young man to her; she guessed he was about 18.

She just gazed at him and then, finally, she realised who it was. Viktor Krum. What? Had Viktor Krum actually noticed her.

Viktor looked at Hermione for a bit; thinking of what to say to her. How to say it! He looked quickly at the Quidditch pitch where Ron and Harry were chasing each other like animals and then back at Hermione; a hope of a conversation within his eyes.

Hesitantly, he handed something over to Hermione, who took her diamond bracelet before thanking Viktor for his generosity with a blushed smile.

"You dropped it, Herm-yi-yania..." Hermione giggled at Viktor's attempt of pronouncing her name but replied with a smile upon her face; her cheeks blushing madly, "Thank you. My grandmother gave this to me..." Viktor smiled. Hermione looked up at him. That's strange. I though he was incapable of smiling. Aw. How cute he looks. She blushed an even harsher crimson colour and looked away from Viktor towards the pitch; absolutely embarrassed.

Viktor brushed his hand through his dark, wavy hair as Hermione curled her hair from the back and waited for Viktor to speak as she looked back at him; losing herself in his dark eyes.

"Herm-yi-yania...how'vare you?" Hermione stared at Viktor; as though she were daydreaming. Transfixed. Hesitantly he said, apologetically, "I sorry thdat my Eenglish iz not very goot. Your name Herm-yi-yania, yes?" Hermione suddenly realised that he was speaking to her and came back to her senses.

"Oh, yes, that is my name, Viktor. Though, you pronounce it 'Her-my-own-ee'." Viktor nodded at her; still grinning. She waited for him to repeat her name but he just smiled at her, and nodded as though he understood. Hermione sighed knowing that he probably did not get a word she was saying and said, laughing slightly, "My name is Her-my-own-ee..."

"...Herm...Hermio...ninny?"

"...Her-my-own-ee..." Hermione tried to speak slowly so he could catch her name but gave up and left it at 'Hermio-ninny'.

Trying not to sound so rude, she just laughed. She was amazed to see that Viktor had blushed as much as her. She didn't think that anybody would be capable of blushing in front of her. The Miss 'Know-It-All'!

"Hermio-ninny...I vos vondering if you vanted..." He paused, trying to think of the right words. Hermione's eyes widened and she looked at him, awing slightly at what he was about to ask her. Viktor took a breath and squeeked, very quickly, "Ivosvanderingifyouvanttoballvithme?" Hermione looked at him; slightly frowning; trying to catch what he was saying.

"I beg your pardon?" Hermione sounded a little too much like a mother who'd ask her child what they said when the child says 'Penis' or 'prick' in front of her.

Viktor looked even more embarrassed and retorted, trying to make more sense, "Vould you vant to go to the Yule Ball vith I?" Hermione's eyebrows shot up. Was HE asking me to go to the...BALL with him? Was HE asking ME? Oh God, was VIKTOR KRUM asking ME? The thoughts bounced around in her thoughts. She remained there staring at Viktor; her eye's wide and face expressionless.

Oh God, Hermione. Wake up from this dream! You STUPID GIRL...it's just a bloody DREAM! Hermione blinked but she was still there. Viktor Krum was still standing there before her; waiting for her answer; afraid that she may say 'no' and that she's already going with Harry or Ron!

She cleared her throat, slightly; trying to revive from her moment of shock before nodding.

"You say yes?" Viktor hesitated; his eyes glowing. Hermione smiled and replied, "Yes. Yes, Viktor. I'd...oh my God...I mean, I'd absolutely love that!" She swore that Viktor was just about to hug her but resisted herself from hugging him; trying not to make herself look or sound like a fool if she did and what she'd have to say when he pulls her away and says 'vot the hell?'.

"I thank you. So very much!" Hermione nodded. She wouldn't care less if he spoke shit English but he had asked her, he was so handsome and he was the world's number one famous Seeker for the Bulgarian Quidditch team!

What was even more was that he had noticed her and no one else did...well, not that Hermione was aware of! Hermione nodded at Viktor; trying very hard to remain breathing.

"You're welcome, Viktor!" Hermione breathed out. Viktor took Hermione's hand and kissed it gently upon the top before brushing past her, hurriedly.

Hermione turned around, grinning like a complete maniac before clasping her hand upon her mouth that would refrain her from squealing.

"Hermio-ninny?" Hermione spun around at the speed of light and faced Viktor once more. He looked a bit breathless but quickly asked, "Ve vould meet at Great Hall, yes?" Hermione nodded; not really taking in his question.

He was about to turn around but she abruptly called out, "We meet by the staircase, Viktor!" He nodded with a flushed but embarrassed smile and turned around before jogging off out of the stadium.

"Oh. My. God! Oh my God!" Hermione whispered to herself, heading back to her abandoned schoolbooks before gathering them up in her hands again. She gave a quick glance back at Ron and Harry still playing Quidditch and grinning; she headed her way back to Hogwarts as quickly as she could.

On the way, she bumped into Seamus Finnigan, who blushed a very deep crimson. Hermione blushed, too at almost having their lips collide together. She shuddered at the thought.

"Oi, Hermione! Just wanted to ask you somethin'!" Hermione looked at him with a hurried expression and breathed out, "Yes, Seamus? What is it?" She noticed that he was the colour of her red/white striped tie that the Gryffindors wore and held back her giggle.

"Just wonderin'. If you aren't gonna go with anyone to the Yule, wanna accompany me?" He gave her his best smile but Hermione, tilting slightly from the amount of books under her arm, shook her head and replied, smugly, "Sorry Seamus but someone has already asked me. Sorry again!"

She did not see Seamus' hanging mouth as she brushed past him and ran towards Hogwarts. Oh...dear...God...Viktor asked me to the Yule...! Oh God, where did the know-it-all go? She was completely lost the whole day through and Ron made Harry swore that she was on Morphine or something God knows what!