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There was that thing.
It was something that honestly bothered Hermione, given the fact she had this very specific idea when it came to Krum—that he was some kind of ladies' man, but when it came to Krum, he didn't have to try, being the celebrity that he was. And from there, with his sports background, she thought of him as a brainless oaf.
And that thing, that inclination regarding Krum, just made realizing he was staring at her in the library even more annoying, or perhaps annoying wasn't quite the word for it. Perplexing wasn't the right word either, but more of a combination of the two, and in her vast wisdom, she couldn't think off the top of her head a word that worked so well for both words all rolled into one.
The fact she couldn't think of the word she blamed on Krum.
At least, she did until he came and asked her questions regarding—well, things like what she was studying, how Harry was doing as he found Harry to be a nice chap although he was a little unsettled still by the fact someone as young as Harry was in the tournament. And when she nearly bit his head off for thinking Harry had somehow put his own name in, Krum pointed out that it wasn't likely, but that someone else had to have done it, which was even more concerning.
To which she'd been completely honest about Harry being used to such a thing, and Krum felt that meant Harry had what it took to be a champion, although he still had reservations.
Mostly though, they talked about her studies and the fact she was Muggleborn. It wasn't that he was surprised that she was capable of doing so well as a Muggleborn, but more that he was curious regarding the challenges she faced having not grown up around magic as he had. "There are some of us who are Purebloodist because we believe our blood superior, and there are some of us who are Purebloodist because we recognize that Muggleborn are at a disadvantage when they start school, an unfair one."
"But don't you both think yourselves superior to us, Muggleborn."
"Ah—superior. That word. I'm not sure how to put this, as English is not my first language, but there is a difference between being highly opinionated about oneself and realizing there is a difference in the quality of experience one has. The former will hold it above others, but the latter—it is their duty not to look down on those with inferior experience to them, and it is their duty to lessen that difference where they can."
So they talked about so many things, such as Muggle literature and Muggles views on magic, to her stance on House Elves where she learned from Krum that to him, the family House Elf was like a part of the family—that to give a House Elf clothes was like a form of disowning or banishment that meant a big deal among older Pureblood families. Yet, in his mind, how an individual chooses to treat the House Elf was a definite reflection of who they were as a person.
"They'll fight any reformation because any form of reformation where it concerns House Elves is, in turn, a reflection on their poor character that they do not want the public eye to see. Many Pureblood families have the side they want the public to see and the side they don't," Krum said. "And some don't bother hiding that side at all."
In all their conversations, she'd not expected to be invited to the ball, to decide when invited that she wanted to go, let alone that she would enjoy it.
At least, she did until Ron ruined it.
"Did you have a wonderful night?"
"Mostly," Hermione said, choosing to be honest.
"Did I do something wrong?"
"No. My friend Ron," Hermione said, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"What did this friend do? Isn't he the one Harry cares a lot about?"
"Yes. Harry and I both care about Ron a lot. Ron, he wasn't happy I went to the ball with you, to be honest. He kind of, I don't know. Forgot I was a girl."
"So he was jealous?"
"I guess."
"It's a good thing that you didn't go with him then."
"Excuse me?" Hermione frowned, not liking the way Krum was butting in.
"A gentleman should put a lady's feelings before his own. Actually, one could say it goes both ways, but in this case, your friend was certainly not a gentleman."
"Are you saying I shouldn't date Ron?"
"He is jealous, which is a form of possessiveness. If someone loves a person, truly loves them, they are willing to let them go for their own happiness."
"And what about you?" Hermione asked.
"If you were truly happy, then yes," Krum said. "But not like this, with Ron."
"Excuse me."
"Harry, on the other hand, I think would be willing to let you go if you had feelings for another person," Krum said. "So if it was someone like Harry that you fell in love with, I would let you go."
"That's sweet," Hermione said. "And I don't know what to think about it."
"As I said. I will not push you to be in love with me because that is not love." Krum paused. "Did I say everything right?"
"Yeah." Knowledge could be a strange thing, but she also felt she knew Krum better, even if she'd not yet fallen in love with him.