It was pouring outside the Hogwarts Castle; rain pelting down on the grounds, soaking the lawns and

flooding the lake, hitting hard against the windows and rambling on the rooves of each tower of the vast castle. Inside, however, everyone seemed merry and more than a little pre-occupied with their friends, colleagues, and not to mention… the new guests.

1st September 1994, the year the Tri Wizard Tournament had returned to Hogwarts and to the Wizarding world. The two visiting schools had parked their vehicles outside in the thunderous rain, forgotten amidst the overwhelming warmth of the castle and fireplaces within; the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and Koldovstoretz Institute of magical beings, wizards and creatures sat comfortably with their Hogwarts’ hosts.

The pupils of both the visiting schools had displayed some of their talents; and the headmasters of Hogwarts and Koldovstoretz and headmistress of Beauxbatons briefly addressed the students on the Tournament.

Owing to their nature, the Russian school had seated themselves among the Slytherins and the Beauxbatons among the Ravenclaws. Shahid was seated at the Slytherin table enjoying the delicious buffet the host school had held in their honour. His school from Russia had replaced the school from Bulgaria on a short notice due to the fact that Durmstrang had some issues with regards to their ship.

It was a joint decision to choose the next best competitive school from a European background given the circumstances.

So here they were, and Shahid, the best seeker on the Russian Quidditch team, was elated to finally meet other fellow wizards from his birthplace, Scotland. He’d been brought up in Russia due to the fact that his parents had a transfer from the Ministry of Magic in Scotland to Russia. Growing up in a pure-blood family, Shahid barely associated with people he was comfortable with, especially where he sat now, as Draco Malfoy kept sucking up to him; his lineage overused as an entry ticket to almost every conversation at the table was driving Shahid insane.

Unable to control his desire to return to their guest rooms (Dumbledore had graciously conjured a guest house within the castle as it was pouring outside), the candlelight adding to the lulled feeling of wine and extra helpings of food as he sat there trying to bear Malfoy boasting about his family’s influence on the Ministry and the Minister himself; he leaned towards his right to speak to his headmaster. Just then he caught a glimpse of a pretty girl seated between two boys at the Gryffindor table. Instantly his sleepiness had vanished.

“These British girls are really something!” He smiled to himself. His eyes were fixated on her, she had captivated him. And her table was just in front of him, so he had a good view of her, she had been seated facing their table and spoke animatedly to the two boys on either side of her; her mousy brown hair fluttering as she turned from side to side to talk to her friends.

The one with jet black hair and round spectacles kept smiling and looking towards the teachers’ table and the boy with red hair kept listening intently to her.

After the feast, as Dumbledore rose to address them again about the Tournament, he kept watching the girl opposite him with great interest at the Gryffindor table. Malfoy, making an attempt to befriend Shahid, spotted him staring in the direction of the Gryffindor table and ceased the opportunity to steer him against Gryffindor House.

“What are you staring at Harripersad?” he asked in his drawling voice in an almost bored manner; “Busy staring at that mudblood Granger and her friend Potter and Weasleby?” Shahid looked at him sharply, then curiously, so as to cover up any open expressions, silently grateful to the dim candlelight that hid his red face. “Who did you say that girl over there next to Harry Potter is?” “Hermione Granger,” said Draco, “bloody mudblood’s the best in our year. And all the teachers can’t stop going on about how gifted she is! It’s just pathetic!” he spat.

Upon hearing their best friend mention Hermione’s name coupled with a few decent words, Crabbe and Goyle turned in shock to face their friend. They apparently hadn’t caught the last part where Draco purposely emphasized his hatred for her. Completely stupefied at his friend’s praise for the girl he’s loathed for the past three years at Hogwarts, Goyle (the smarter of the two) stared with his jaw hanging, forgetting his pudding for a few seconds.

“Did you just compliment Granger Draco?” “Don’t be stupid Goyle I was only informing Shahid what she’s like;” and then looking to face Shahid, “she’s nothing but trouble that Granger. Bit egotistic actually.”

“Well ofcorse Granger is the most talented witch at Hogwarts, I just don’t like the company she keeps. And don’t mention this to anyone Harripersad; nobody has to know what I really think of them.” Draco seemed to fancy Hermione as well, Shahid had noticed, she really had to be something if she impressed Draco given her blood status. “I must speak to her soon, or Draco may end up taking her to the Yule Ball - or she may end up waltzing with that freckly redhead.” He thought nefariously.

Over the next few weeks, Shahid started following Hermione whenever she was alone. He’d managed to get a seat next to her in the library and often peeked at her through stacks of spell books and homework (Koldovstoretz often gave their students stacks of homework, one of the reasons why they could sing their spells in their sleep.) watching her brood over her potions books. She was very precise with her work and seemed to have this systematic work method that he found very fanciable.

Most often, however, she was escorted to every class and literally every where she went, by those two bodyguards of hers to his annoyance.

Occasionally she’d notice him looking at her in the library and smile back at him, or she’d dive beneath her pile of spell books and practically disappear out of sight. He could see why Malfoy had said she was the cleverest witch in their school, she always had her nose in a book and would eat her breakfast with a book propped open in front of her.

Slowly but surely, she began to notice him and she began to greet him when they “bumped” in to each other in the corridors or at the library, and Shahid eventually started making conversation with her. By Halloween, he had managed to befriend Hermione and they had become study mates, since she seemed to always be alone in the library doing more homework than any other student at Hogwarts.

“You should have been at Koldovstoretz, you’re always writing so many essays and reading so many books.” He teased one day. “That’s because I love magic and I want to learn everything I possibly can. And I also check my friends’ homework for them.” She smiled shyly.

He smiled back, taken away by that brilliant smile of hers, and the way her brown hair curled, it made his insides melt. “You really are a sweet friend, not many will care to help others with homework these days.” He said as they started walking in the direction of the Great Hall. “Well, Harry and Ronald are my best friends. And you know Harry also has to worry about the Tournament.” She beamed, and then her smiled fell…

Shahid tried asking her what was wrong, though she didn’t want to say.

At dinner he sent her a note, it was a beautiful piece of parchment enchanted to fly towards her like a dove. It fluttered past Harry and cooed in her ear until she noticed it and grabbed it to read in private:

Can we meet at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow? I hear that we visiting schools are welcome to visit.

I’ll meet you outside the Great Hall in the Foyer at 1pm

- Shahid

She looked up immediately towards the Slytherin table, and smiled. Then she sent her reply back Hogwarts style with a note shaped like an owl and smiled.

Sure! If you need a tour, I’m here! Just don’t forget to try the butterbeer there, it’s the best!

Speak more about this at the library.

- Hermione

The next day as promised, she was waiting for him at the main door in the foyer, beaming as soon as she caught his eye. “Hi Hermione.” He grinned, and gave her a small pouch.

“What’s this?” she asked shyly.

“It’s just a small gift for all your help lately, especially with the Tournament and all the pressure from my headmaster and teachers. My friends haven’t been much of a help, they’ve all seemed to worry more about who’ll win the Cup.” He sighed.

And as she opened it they walked towards the village of Hogsmeade.

A few hours later, in the Three Broomsticks pub, while sipping on some, indeed rather delicious, butterbeer, Shahid asked her who she was going to the Yule Ball with.

“Uhm… I don’t know yet…” she said a little nervously. “Well, will you go with me to the Yule Ball Hermione?” the words slipped out faster than he’d imagined, and by the time he’d realised what he’d just blurted out, she already said “Yes, I’d love to Shahid.”

----- The end -----

A/n: Just some background to this one. I'd originally written this one as a fanfiction for a friend about ten years ago. But I changed his name to "Shahid" afterwards.