The Lure of Delacour

First Impressions & Second Chances

Hermione shakes her head and reopens her book on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. She warned the worrisome twins to the best of her ability. If they wish to proceed with their ridiculous plan anyways then she wants no part in it. As the duo make an overzealous display of drinking their aging potions Hermione tries to keep her focus on how to properly train a Niffler. A small sigh comes from the girl when she hears cheering and a sort of battle cry from the Weasley troublemakers. Despite her best efforts, she glances up at Fred and George who are now standing in the circle unharmed. Just a matter of time. Five.. The two raise their arms up to signal more cheering is needed. Four. "Ready," one says to the other just before they toss both of their parchments into the blue flames. Three. They share a glance as their names are disintegrated, officially marking them in the running. Two. After a second of deafening silence the crowd erupts into yet another naive cheer. One. Hermione's lips turn up into a small smirk as the fire goes in all different directions before hitting Fred and George with just enough force to land them out of the age circle and right on their asses. Growing to an age much too wise-looking for the two, they are forced to realize how horribly their plan has failed. With a roll of her eyes Hermione tries yet again to go back to reading the book in her lap. She does a decent job at drowning out the sounds of fighting teenage geezers. It is the silence that Viktor Krum brings on simply by walking into the room that makes Hermione give up on learning about the treasure-hunting beasts.

After shutting the book, far more delicately this time, and placing it to her side she watches him pass. The brunette quietly admires his prideful strut that makes the crowd part all the way to the goblet. No one utters a word, too stunned by the seeker's presence. As the broad Durmstrang student places his name into the flames his eyes meet Hermione's. For just a moment she could have sworn his brooding features relaxed into the briefest of smiles, one she felt obligated to return.

The moment he leaves confusion sweeps over her. Obligation is the last thing she felt towards him at the feast. I need air. Sweeping the book under her arm as she stands, she gives her companions a slight nod before making her way to the door. Not having the pleasure of exuding Viktor's presence, Hermione weaves haphazardly through the crowd of students. As soon as she thinks she is in the clear, she makes contact with a tall silhouette that sends her book flying out from the safety of her arm and onto the floor. Letting out a slight grunt on impact, she immediately bends down to retrieve the book as if it were gold. Her extreme aggravation towards the jostling crowd in the room makes her miss the French lilt coming from above. It is not until the blonde bends down herself that Hermione has a chance to recognize the culprit. A hand touches her own when she goes for the book, sending a shock up her arm that travels throughout her entire body. The sudden sensation makes Hermione fall back on her bum which earns a small giggle from the girl safely on her knees in front of her. This sends fire through the proud Gryffindor's veins. Hermione ignores Fleur's helpful hand and pushes herself up off the ground. With one glare aimed down at the girl, her laughter halts. Fleur raises a brow, her amusement now mixed with bewilderment, as she watches the brunette stomp off.

Now clutching the book tight to her chest, Hermione mumbles to herself, "Could she be any more of a..a.."

She lets out a big huff when no insults come to mind. The walls blur around her as her pace quickens, her vision only focusing on what is straight ahead. Seething in silence, she steps onto the moving staircase. Why do I even care? She taps her fingers on the book as she searches for an answer. She was never one to hate someone because of a friend so the problem could not be Ginny's irritation towards the Beauxbaton beauty. However, Hermione has not seen the girl since the night of their entrance. Passings in the hall cannot count, considering Fleur is always surrounded by a gang of blue hats that only let Hermione catch mere glances. She has not had an opportunity to develop anything other than indifference for the fellow student.