Disclaimer: Although I wish I did, I don't own the characters in Harry Potter. Oh well.

Chapter 1

Hermione scowled into the Gryffindor fire, a sealed envelope on the mahogany table beside her. Viktor Krum had invited her to spend Christmas Break with him at Durmstrang. She had hesitantly accepted, knowing by accepting Viktor's offer she was throwing away the opportunity of spending her second to last year at Hogwarts at Hogwarts. With Ron. And Harry.

She was interrupted from her thoughts as Ron snatched her reply of acceptance off the table. "No, Ron! That's none of your business! Don't read it!"

But Ron just laughed at her distress. Hermione turned to Harry. "Tell him to give that back!"

Ron broke the seal and took out the letter. Hermione made a lunge for him but missed. He read aloud:

Dear Viktor,

I would be delighted to spend Christmas Break with you at Durmstrang. I'm impressed that you were even able to pull enough strings to allow me to visit the hidden Durmstrang. Guess being Viktor Krum, world-famous Quidditch star has its advantages. And the fact that you'll be wiping my memory afterward...

I'll be looking forward to seeing you!

Ever Yours,

Hermione

Ron finished reading, his face white with rage. "How long have you been writing to him?? I guess we weren't important enough to know about your Viktor! And you're going to leave us in our ALMOST LAST YEAR at Hogwarts for Krum???! I–"

He paused to take a breath, giving Hermione time to interject.

"This is exactly why I didn't want you reading this! I knew you'd get all worked up about it without giving me a chance to explain!" Her face was similarly white as Ron's as she stomped up the stairs into the girl's dorm.

Ron grunted in anger. "How dare she go to Durmstrang at Christmas?"

"Why do you care so much?" Harry asked Ron. Crimson red creeped over the white of Ron's complexion. "Because– Krum's up to something, I know he is!"

Harry took one last look at his Divinations homework he had been working on before Ron and Hermione's outbursts.

"C'mon Ron, let's go get some sleep." Ron reluctantly stomped up the stairs behind Harry and laid down in his bed.

Harry fell asleep listening to soft mutterings that night.