With a month until the Yule Ball, Nikolina realized she would not be able to avoid Viktor the entire time.

Instead of attempting to do so, she went to the library to do some studying, where she knew he was. If he wished to speak with her, he could do so then.

Sure enough, he sat beside her and moved her stack of books.

"Hello my Lina," he said, waiting for a response. When she continued writing he spoke again. "I am sorry I did not tell you about the Ball."

"I vill be attending vith someone else anyvay," she told him.

"Poliakoff asked you?"

"He did, but I had already made arrangements to go vith another."

"...Oh." Viktor Krum seemed confused, and slightly disheartened at her response. Nonetheless,  she continued her work for ten more minutes.

"Now, if you vould excuse me, I vos planning to meet someone."

It was true; George Weasley, and maybe even Fred, was waiting for her in the entrance hall.

"Hey, there you are," George said, his brother nowhere in sight.

"I vos studying," she told him.

"Well I figured we could go to Hogsmeade."

"But I vos sure ve only vere allowed on certain days?"

"Yeah well I have my ways," he grinned.

"Very vell," she smiled.

When they got to Hogsmeade,  George asked her where she wanted to go.

"I haff never been here," she told him softly. "I do not know vhere ve should go."

"Let's go to Honeydukes then," he suggested.

Once there, she was amazed at the array of sweets they sold. She hadn't been in any store with such a wide variety.

After Honeydukes,  they went to Zonko's which is where George spent most of his money.

They also went to see the Shrieking Shack.

"Is it really haunted?" Nikolina asked.

"Well... we used to think it was and most people still do but some of us now know the rumors were started by Dumbledore who was trying to protect a student who is a werewolf so he could still attend. He taught last year."

"You headmaster seems like a vonderful man."

"Shall we go to the Three Broomsticks?" George suggested after a few moments of silence.

"I am sorry but vot did you say?" She had been distracted, thinking about Viktor.

"The Three Broomsticks.  We can get butterbeer."

"Of course," she agreed.  

As they walked George fought with himself. Finally, he reached out and intertwined his fingers with hers. She was surprised at his touch, but enjoyed it anyway. It was comforting during her emotional turmoil.

As they enjoyed their butterbeer,  Fred walked in with a boy that Nikolina did not recognize.

"Oi, George, you ditched us for a date mate?" The unfamiliar boy asked.

"It's uhh... it's not really a date. We're just hanging out," George protested, flushing bright red. That's when it occurred to Nikolina that the younger yet taller boy had feelings for hand was not merely beginning a friendship.

"And if it vere a date," she said with a smile, "you vould haff just rudely interrupted."

Taken aback by receiving a response,  much less one in English, the boy was unsure of what to say. Nikolina simply set her hand on top of the one of George's that was resting on the table. He seemed surprised by the motion but did not question it.

As they walked back, they did so hand in hand and in silence.

He walked her back to her ship, and gave her a quick hug before telling her goodbye.

"Vas it a good day?" Viktor asked from behind her.

"Yes, it vos thank you," she replied,  nodding to him.

"Vos that the one you are going vith to the Ball?"

"Yes," she replied,  a slight smile touching her face. "It vos my requirement that ve vould spend time together to get to know each other before ve go to the dance together."

It was an awkward silence that she broke by going to her quarters.

She was glad to be going to the Ball with George.