The news grew wings, and it flew faster than any owl.
Hermione Granger was going to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum.
The news first spread from the witnesses in the Library, spreading rapidly like a drop of ink in clear water.
"Have you heard? That Gryffindor know-it-all!"
"She must have used a Love Potion! I bet she did!"
"Exactly. Why would Krum fancy her? That messy hair of hers looks like a bird's nest!"
Jealousy was a more powerful catalyst than any potion.
It made the rumors ferment, turning vicious and biting.
The girls gathered together, painting the scenes they imagined in the vilest terms.
"I bet she traded the secret of the second task for an invitation to the ball!"
"Shameless! Throwing away Hogwarts' honor just to get attention!"
Those voices circled Hermione like annoying flies, but she merely straightened her back and let the words pass her by.
She knew who she was, and she knew what she had done.
That was enough.
But just because she did not care did not mean no one else did.
The Gryffindor Common Room.
The flames in the fireplace crackled, lighting up the young faces.
Yet the atmosphere was rather heavy.
Ron sat in an armchair, his face as dark as a thundercloud.
Harry sat opposite him, feeling just as miserable.
He still felt waves of nausea at having personally pushed Cho Chang toward Cedric.
Hermione had just come downstairs when she immediately sensed the oppressive atmosphere.
"What's wrong?" she asked, adjusting her schoolbag.
Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown exchanged a glance, and Lavender spoke in an exaggerated, sickly-sweet voice.
"Oh, Hermione, we've all heard! Are you really... going to the ball with Viktor Krum?"
Her tone was full of false envy and undisguised curiosity.
"Yes."
Hermione's reply was simple