"Could I have a vord?" Victor Krum's earnest gaze met Hermione's squarely.

Next to her, Ron's suddenly stony face glared off in another direction. Feeling oddly flustered, Hermione barely managed an intelligible answer to Victor's question. "Oh...yes..all right."

She hastily followed him off to one side while trying to ignore the inexplicable sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Victor was a nice boy, and she liked him. So why did she keep wanting to turn and run?

Once out of sight of Harry and Ron, Victor turned to face her. Suddenly anxious, Hermione spoke first. "Victor, I think maybe..."

He cut her off gently. "Herm-own-ninny, I understand. I guess I vas a few years too late." A half-smile flickered over his face. "He is a lucky man."

Though this wasn't at all the way she'd expected the conversation to go, Hermione was startled to feel a surge of relief. Then a sense of shock went through her as she realized who Victor was talking about. Oh, surely he hadn't believed that stupid article. "Victor, I told you, Harry and I are just friends. We're not going out."

He raised a dark eyebrow. "I vasn't talking about Harry."

Then who...a sudden blush rose as she realized. "Ron? We're...we're friends. He's...we're not..."

Victor's smile had grown broad from amusement. "Then vhy do you blush vhenever somevone says his name?"

Hermione wondered absently if her face was outshining Ron's hair yet. "I...I don't know."

"Vell, I do. And he feels the same vay about you."

She couldn't have felt lighter if Victor had put a levitation charm on her. "You really think so?"

"I do. Surely you have noticed how protective he is of you." He raised a cautionary hand. "Howeffer, I do not think he has realized this yet. Perhaps in another year or so. Do not give up on him yet."

In sudden understanding, Hermione looked up into Victor's face. "How old were you? When you first realized you liked someone, I mean."

There was a wistfulness expression on his face. "Sixteen. And in the meantime, she had found someone else. I regretted that for a long time. I did not vish to see the two of you go that road."

The rattling sound of the carriages filled the air, and they both glanced around. "I think ve should return now."

Back with her friends, Hermione felt as if her eyes had been opened, noticing things she had never thought to look for before. The half-grin he reserved for her alone. The way he stood protectively in front of her when danger threatened.

The night of Voldemort's return. When it had all gotten to be too much and she'd started crying, he'd pulled her against his shoulder and just let her sob. There had been an awkwardness about it at first, but it had faded, leaving her feeling safe.

Ron's voice cut suddenly through her reverie. "Can I have your autograph?" Hermione turned away before Ron could see the smile on her face. As Victor walked away a minute later, Ron glanced at her with a sheepish look on his face. An apology, the only way he knew how to, yet.

She smiled back at him and grabbed his hand. "Come on. Let's get a seat before all the carriages are full."

His eyes danced as he let himself be towed along behind her. Maybe she did kind of like the big lunk after all.