As the night of the Ball drew closer, Viktor spoke to Nikolina less and less.

Nikolina was becoming used to being around the odd twins and their friend whose name she still didn't know. She began to wish that she had more time with just George, for she enjoyed his embraces and their hands fit well together. However, the boy would only show his affections when his brother and friend were not around to tease him.

When the night of the Yule Ball finally arrived, she was more excited than she had anticipated.

When she reached the entrance hall where George promised to be waiting, she was more nervous than excited. She didn't see George anywhere.

"You look stunning this evening," came hid voice from behind her. She felt someone take her hand and when she looked over, she saw the red hair she had been looking for.

"Hello George," she said, a smile forming.

"So what made you go with Slytherin colors?" He joked.

"I am sorry, I am not sure vot you are talking about."

"Nevermind, it's not important."

She was wearing a long emerald green dress with golden accents. Her flats were also gold.

"She not just Slytherin, mate," said the boy she still didn't know. "She's got some Gryffindor there too!"

"Oh buzz off Lee," George told him. Nikolina linked her arm with his as they entered the Great Hall.

As she saw Viktor dancing with the other girl, her heart clenched, but she made herself look away. George offered to get her a drink, so she sat alone for a while.

"Hey Nikolina," came came a voice from beside her. The boy looked like George but it couldn't be. Something seemed off.

"Hello," she replied uncertainly.

"How about we dance?"

"You are not George. I cannot remember vot your name is but you are George's brother."

"Dang it, how could you tell?"

"Vell, for one, George vas getting us drinks. Also, you do not haff his attitude around me. He vas alvays more nervous," she explained, satisfied she had not fallen for the trick.

"Oi, Freddie," George exclaimed, approaching with their drinks. "What are you doing?"

"She already knows the difference between us mate," his brother replied. "I was testing her."

"Well buzz off, we might dance soon."

As George took a seat by Nikolina, he put an arm around her waist.

Meanwhile, though he was occupied getting drinks for Hermione and himself, he couldn't help but watch Nikolina and her strange date. He had some sort of feelings for Hermione, but honestly, he hadn't quite sorted through his feelings for his friend... or former friend as it may be.

He felt jealousy and a bit of anger rising in him as Nikolina and the redhead stood to dance. He wanted to stop the boy from touching her, but then he remembered he needed to return to Hermione.

"Are you having fun?" George asked the Bulgarian girl in front of him. He was still unsure about what drew him to her. He barely knew anything about her, but she enchanted him. The way her chocolate brown hair fell over her shoulders, even when curled and pinned up as it was now, and her bright green eyes that caught his attention no matter how hard he tried to ignore them. Everything about was interesting, and he thought that maybe she was starting to feel something for him.

He was jolted from his thoughts of her when the beauty in question laid her head on his chest.

"Yes," she whispered in response. "I vill never forget this night."

"I'm glad." He slid his arm around her waist as they continued to dance. He felt her relax in his embrace, and suddenly he caught the eyes of Viktor Krum.

There was an anger there, one quite unfounded, George believed. After all, Krum had Nikolina at his side the whole time, yet he chose to ask Hermione. He made his choice, and it was not George's fault if the Bulgarian was regretting that decision.

After the dance had ended, George and Nikolina walked slowly back to the Durmstrang ship. Hand in hand, they spoke quietly of the night they had experienced, and when he hugged her before departing for his dorm, he also kissed her quickly, no longer than a few seconds.

"Good night Nikolina," he said, unwilling to drop her hand.

"Good night, my George," she replied, a smile forming. "I vill haff a surprise for you tomorrow."

As she disappeared into the ship, he stood there amazed at her words.

"So Georgie," Fred said as his brother walked into their dorm room. When he didn't get a response as George sat on his bed, he moved over to sit beside him.

"How'd your night go Georgie?" He asked.

"It was good," was the simple reply.

"Just good?"

"Well... I don't think that Krum likes me."

"Well his loss. He had her and he let her go. The question is does she like you?"

"I think so, I mean, I don't know what else to call this."

"What exactly is 'this'?" His twin inquired.

"She called me 'my George' and I'm not sure if it's just a friendly thing or what. But she said something about a surprise tomorrow."

"Vos your night good, Lina?" Viktor asked Nikolina, stopping her as she tried to enter her room.

"It vas. And yours?" She was unsure of why he was asking; he seemed perfectly happy with Miss Granger.

"It vos fine."

She disappeared into her quarters and spent much of the night thinking about her relationship with George. He liked her very much, that she knew. The question was, just how strong were her feelings for him? She knew they were there, but potency was a mystery.