Snowballs

A fan fic made by: Pikachu

Hermione sat inside the Gryffindor Common Room. Harry sat beside her and Ron sat across from her. It was winter, and the snow thickly covered the ground.

"All students are to go to the Great Hall for announcements. I repeat. All students are to go to the Great Hall for announcements. Thank you." Professor McGonagall's voice boomed over the castle. Hermione, Harry, Ron and the other Gryffindor students went down and sat on their seats in the Great Hall.

"Good Evening, students, teachers." Professor Dumbledore greeted them all. "I have good news. A letter has been sent to me from Professor Vladimir Karkaroff (Karkaroff's brother (to me)), the new headmaster of Durmstrang. They are going to visit us again for a whole month to spend their Christmas. Do not worry. Only the students that were allowed are going to go here."

A few girls shrieked, gasped or swooned. The thought of Viktor coming to Hogwarts sent chills down Hermione's spine.

"What's wrong, Herm?" Harry asked, noticing that she flinched.

"N-nothing. I'll tell you later." Hermione shuddered again.

Viktor Krum really liked Hermione. I mean really like. Viktor Krum sent Hermione flowers and chocolates and sweets everyday, over the summer. Hermione thought of it cutely at first, thinking it was very kind. But she didn't appreciate it later. Ron and Harry's letters are late in arrival because of Viktor's constant owls. Especially Harry's, she hated that his letters weren't getting to her. She liked Harry.

Later, Hermione thought of it as an obsession. She wanted to get away from Viktor and asked the Owl Post Office to block Viktor's letters until September first. It was like he wanted her too much. But Hermione loved Harry, not him.

As they got back in the common room, they settled down on chairs, Hermione said to them about Krum's obsession over her.

"He must really like you, Herm." Ron said, adjusting the sleeves of his sweater.

"But that was really creepy." Harry stated. He looked worried. "And he's coming over. For a whole month."

"You must stay away from him, Viktor Krum." Ron yawned. "C'mon. Let's go to sleep. We have to get up early to avoid Viktor's lot tomorrow and head straight to Hogsmeade."

"Yeah…Goodnight, guys. See you tomorrow." Hermione yawned and went to her dormitory.

"It's going to be a long day tomorrow, Ron. C'mon." Harry said, standing up. He and Ron walked to their dormitory and slept soundly.

***The next day…***

Harry, Hermione, and Ron woke up a little bit early, but still, most of the students were already awake. They got dressed, went down and saw Neville Longbottom snoring, drooling all over the Gryffindor Table's tablecloth.

Dean and Seamus were tugging on his arms. The three just laughed as they ate their breakfast. Ten minutes later, Professor Dumbledore stood up and announced that the Durmstrang students are arriving in half an hour. They finished their breakfast a bit hastily and set off for Hogsmeade.

"Wait a minute. You there! Students aren't allowed to go yet." Madame Hooch snarled

"Dratted people! We already have too much students here!!!!" Madame Pomfrey mumbled. "And they say the Beauxbatons lot are going to visit too!" She grunted and grunted until she said, "Come along now, Madame Hooch. The Headmaster needs us."

Hermione sighed. At exactly nine o'clock Viktor Krum and his classmates will be arriving, and she didn't want to meet him. Surely he'd try to pull her away from Harry and Ron right?

At nine fifteen, the gates were opened and several students hopped inside the horseless carriages that just arrived. Harry, Hermione and Ron got on the very first one.

"You reckon we just got away in time?" Ron sighed, looking behind.

"Yeah. The lake just started to have ripples. Look," Harry replied, pointing at the lake that was visible far away. The smooth surface of the water disappeared as a huge mahogany mast appeared.

Ron looked away, so did Hermione. Ron stared through the window longingly.

'Probably thinking about Lavender.' Hermione thought to herself. She giggled, which caught Harry's attention. Ron, however, was still staring out the window.

"Why were you laughing?" Harry asked her.

Hermione leaned towards Harry and whispered in his ear what she thought Ron was doing. When she finished, both burst out laughing.

"What?" Ron asked the two. "What?"

"N-nothing."

A few minutes later, the carriage stopped. The three got out and saw the usual Hogsmeade scene. Cottages and old-fashioned buildings topped off with snow, looking like a perfect Christmas card. Ron stepped out first, looking disgruntled and annoyed, followed by Harry and Hermione who was laughing their hearts out.

"Cut it out guys! It's not funny." Ron said, annoyed. He swished his cloak and went off to Honeydukes.

"Yeah we'll cut it out. Since Lavender's going to arrive any minute." Harry sputtered out, trying hard not to laugh.

***Hogwarts***

"Greetings, students and faculty of Durmstrang University of Magic (dunno if I got it right…)! Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, am happy to see you all. If you want to visit Hogsmeade, where most of our students are located, you may do so. Our teachers will be glad to escort you to the gates." He greeted the Durmstrang lot happily. After a few minutes, some of the students went outside, indeed to go to Hogsmeade.

But Hermione didn't know Viktor Krum was one of them.

***Hogsmeade***

Some time later, Lavender and Parvati arrived. Ron's face turned red, and Harry and Hermione laughed. Again.

"Hi guys! You're here early today." Lavender and Parvati greeted them.

"Yeah…we had to go early." Hermione said, trying to stifle her laughs.

"Herm here wants to stay away from somebody." Harry said.

"Hey, I almost forgot, a Durmstrang student kept asking for you, Herm. He was surrounded by girls, mind you." Parvati added. "Bit famous too…"

"Did they – wait – what are they doing outside the castle?" Hermione said uncertainly.

"They were going to visit Hogsmeade, as I recall Dumbledore saying a while a go." Lavender replied.

"T-they are?" Hermione said worriedly. She wanted to get away from Krum, not be found by him!

"And we thought we could get away…" Ron sighed.

"Look! Carriages!" Harry pointed at the groups of horseless carriages that were coming their way.

"Quick! Hide me!" Hermione said suddenly.

"What?" said Lavender and Parvati.

"Hide me!! Hide me before they arrive!"

"Where?" Harry asked.

"Anywhere!"

"But…"

"C'mon! They're going to arrive any minute now!" Hermione cried at them. One by one, the carriages dropped the Durmstrang students off. At the very last one, Viktor and his friends emerged.

"C'mon!! Hide me!!!"

"Hide behind me!" Harry said panicky.

Lavender, Ron and Parvati snorted.

"What?"

"You two are so funny!" they said in unison.

"C'mon. Shut up." Hermione snapped. But someone tapped her.

"Good morning, Herm-own-ninny. I didn't see you inside the Hogvarts grounds." Krum greeted her. The color drained from Hermione's face.

"You see…umm…er…we…we had to…" Hermione stuttered.

"We had to go early to avoid the crowds." Harry said quickly.

"Yeah." Ron added. 'Harry's used to this.' He thought.

"Yes…vell, Herm-own-ninny, can I speak vith you privately?" Krum asked. Hermione looked pleadingly at Harry and Ron, who didn't know what to do.

"Well, I really have to go now. You know. Prefect stuff." Hermione used her "prefect-ness" for an excuse.

"Are you sure? I mean, I vant to ask you some questions."

"She really does have to go…" Harry mumbled. Just then, a magically magnified voice was heard.

"Attention all Hogwarts prefects, you are called to Professor McGonagall's office. I repeat. All Hogwarts prefects are to come to Professor McGonagall's office. Thank you."

"You see. Harry and I really have to go now…Bye Viktor, bye Ron! Have a good time! And buy us some sweets okay? And have a good time with LAVENDER!!!!!" Hermione shouted, running off with Harry. Hand in hand.

Chapter 1: Hogsmeade is finished!!!! Please, review!!!!!! This is my 4th story posted and my 3rd Hp fic posted. Anyway, thanks to Wolf Cry for the first one, the very first one to review my fic, Hermione's Sixth Year Christmas. To others, I'll mention you in the next chapter. I wrote this offline so I didn't have a chance to see your names…Anyway, to all those who reviewed, even though you're only a few, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any problems or questions, e-mail me at alex_pikachu1822@hotmail.com or just review in that little box right there.