Ok, so I haven't written in a while, but you can thank the arrival of summer for getting this chapter up!

So pretty much, Hermione has a genius plan, which involves the notorious Viktor Krum! I know (EWW, right?) but it has to be done eventually. So here it is.

R & R please :)

Never Date a Famous Quidditch Player Just to get the Attention of Your Desired Witch or Wizard

Beds are too comfortable for anyone's good, Hermione thought as Saturday morning drew closer towards Saturday afternoon. She just wanted to lay there in the abundance of her sweet smelling sheets, her cozy silk pajamas with her hair in a chaotic mess. Nothing, she thought, could ever beat this.

Serene quietness filled the empty room. Hermione was in heaven. There were no snarls belonging to contemptuous teachers–as in Severus Snape–to be heard, no miserable news of heinous Death Eater attacks and, gratefully, no imprudent remarks from Ron. Yes, life was a sweet symphony of glory.

But, as always, her tranquil moment was interrupted by the irritating clicking of heals and squeals … they were the shrill giggles from Lavender Brown, which were the equivalent of nails skidding wickedly down the roughness of a chalkboard. Hermione instinctively buried her head beneath her covers, trying ever so desperately to escape the treacherous noises. But Lavender's voice was all too obnoxious to simply disregard.

"Oh my goodness," she tittered in a ditzy manner. "I'm so tired. I was up late last night." Her voice became rather trifling.

"Doing what?" another girl asked, sounding all too curious. Hermione couldn't exactly decipher whom the voice came from, but she figured it was trivial. Anyone who was interested in Lavender's matters surely wasn't the most crucial person at the moment.

An overdramatized gasp could be heard escaping Lavender's mouth. "None of your business!" she shrieked vacuously. At that point, it was obvious what Lavender was insinuating. The thought forced Hermione's stomach to turn. "Anyways, he said that he was planning on taking me to Hogsmeade tomorrow. He's so sweet."

Heat boiled inside Hermione, threatening to burst out. Her heart's pace picked up rapidly. Her hands clenched her pillow as her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. But she realized that letting Lavender get to her was a waste of her energy. She was Hermione Granger; calm, cool and collected. This matter was simply petty and had no significance to her whatsoever. She withdrew herself from the fortress of her covers and gazed about the room. As she begun to sit up, an owl swooped down in front of her, causing her to jump. It took a moment for her eyes to find the letter, which the bird had dropped at the foot of her bed. With instant curiosity, she snatched the envelope and pried open its seal.

Dear Hermione,

It's been quite a while since we've talked. I was curious to know how your sixth year has been going? (Awfully, Hermione automatically answered.) How are your friends, Harry and … I'm always forgetting the name of the other one. But maybe you could remind me of it soon.

I'm coming to town this weekend and was wondering if you'd care to join me in Hogsmeade on Sunday. It would be a joy to catch up and to see your lovely face again.

Let me know soon,

Viktor

Yes! Hermione thought. Finally, someone she could stand to be around. Viktor Krum; he wasn't the typical person that Hermione was expected to be with. He could easily be mistaken for the all brawn and no brains type with his immaculate Quidditch physique and the fact that he was more handsome than almost any guy at Hogwarts. He'd played on the Bulgarian National Quidditch Team and represented the Durmstrang Institute at Hogwarts in the Triwizard Tournament two years ago. At the time, he was in his seventh year and Hermione was merely a fourth year girl, which is what surprised everyone, especially Ron, when Viktor had accompanied her to the Yule Ball. In a way, it was shocking to her, too, but she'd explained to herself, as she did to Ron multiple times, that Viktor cared. And he still did care. Viktor hadn't considered her some meaningless fling; he'd actually remembered her. Viktor respected her, which is what made Hermione whip out a quill and immediately begin her reply.

Viktor,

Yes, I know it's been rather long, far too long, if you ask me. So, yes! I'd love to meet up tomorrow! We can catch up and everything. There's so much I want to ask you. We could meet around noon at The Three Broomsticks, if that's all right with you.

I'll see you tomorrow,

Hermione

It was perfect, short and sweet. She bound the rolled up parchment with a string and held it out for the owl to grasp it within its talons. She gazed into the blue sky as her perfectly planned date was being delivered.

Promptly at 10 that Sunday morning, Hermione had begun getting ready. She was doing her hair and applying a heavy load of makeup. She had no alternative to looking absolutely flawless. Her hair was in wispy ringlets, not her usual frizzy do. This was probably the first time in a long time that she'd taken the effort to make her hair look perfect, but she considered it to be worth it.

The clock on her bedside table said it was already 11:30. She'd spent an hour and a half getting ready? That's how much time it took to write a paragraph of an essay or explain Divination to Ron, not how long it for her to get ready. Nevertheless, she did look smashing. Maybe it was worth it after all.

The day just spelled out perfection. Birds chirped elegant tunes and the sun hung high in the sky. Hermione was all too excited. She was finally going to be able to see one of her only friends outside of Hogwarts–outside of Ron and Harry even. It was a breath of fresh air.

Hogsmeade never seemed more exciting. She'd been there a thousand and one times, but today, it held something in store for her. And there it was sitting patiently at a table in The Three Broomsticks. The familiar musky smell of the pub overwhelmed her as she stepped inside. Her hart was beginning to race.

Viktor stood as he saw her enter. He was taller than she'd remembered, maybe even more broad in the shoulders. A smile spread across his rugged face. "Hermione!" he exclaimed through his thick Bulgarian accent. He'd finally learned to pronounce her name correctly, which delighted Hermione.

"Viktor, how nice to see you!" she greeted, as she approached the table, which he'd saved. He gave her a brief hug before she sat down.

"You look beautiful," he said.

Obviously the curls are doing something for me, Hermione thought. "Thank you," she said smiling.

"So how have you been?" he asked, enthusiastically.

"Well, my week just got better," Hermione answered honestly.

"Your school is still good?"

"Yes, it is."

"I'm sure you're passing every class without trouble."

Hermione laughed, sounding a little too trifling, "Well, I'm doing my best. But how about you? Are you still playing Quidditch?"

"Well, yes, but I've got my eyes on more important things right now. Bigger things," said Viktor, sounding rather intriguing to Hermione's ears.

"Sounds impressive. Would you mind sharing what it is?"

A grin extended across Viktor's strong cheeks. "Well you see, I was meaning to mention it long time ago, but I …" he trailed off. Hermione's attentive expression had grown blank, like she'd just seen a ghost, or worse; a lanky read head walking to the table where Lavender Brown was waiting anxiously for him. Viktor turned his head to see exactly what she was looking at. "Oh, is that your friend … I'm sorry, I don't–"

"It's Ron," Hermione said abruptly.

"Ron, that's it!" Viktor said. "How is he anyways?"

"Well," Hermione said, "he's very busy with his girlfriend."

Viktor had begun to catch on. "Ah, I see."

Hermione shook her head, as to eliminate the thought from her mind. "Anyhow, let's talk about you. You were saying?"

"Well, after finishing at Durmstrang …" Hermione had once again stopped listening, but instead, pretended like she was engaged. It was just like what Ron did in Potions class, which, although it was just Snape's Potions class, annoyed Hermione more than anything. If someone was willing to spend time enlightening you on something, you'd better listen. But even Hermione was allowed to be a bit hypocritical every now and then.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Lavender giggling, trying ever so hard to get Ron's attention, but he was too busy staring at Viktor and Hermione. His turquoise eyes narrowed vilely at the sight of them together. She'd ignored Ron all of Saturday and that morning as well, partially because he was being a prat, and partially because Lavender was constantly attached to his hip. She just didn't want to deal with them today; it would completely destroy her enthusiasm.

But the clanking of glasses to the table interrupted Hermione's daze. She looked at three glasses of butterbeer. Hermione was just about to ask why there were three, but then she looked up at a woman approaching Viktor. She was gorgeous, and she looked like she didn't even try. Her hair was short, hanging just past her ears in choppy ebony pieces. She had eyes of a magnificent amber, like toffee or caramel. Her frame was petit. Viktor looked like he could've eaten two of her when he was standing next to her.

"Hello, darling," he greeted her, giving her a kiss. "This is Hermione," he said, directing her towards Hermione. "Hermione, this is Ana, my fiancé."

Hermione was surprised. Viktor, married–or engaged, rather, but nonetheless, married? No way. However, Hermione plastered on her sweet smile and shook Ana's hand.

"It is so nice to meet you," Ana said.

"Likewise," said Hermione.

"Viktor has told me so much about you. How smart and kind you are. So, considering we were in town, I just had to meet you."

"Well I'm absolutely glad you did come."

"Viktor, did you tell her how you proposed?"

"Well, I was getting to it," Viktor said. "So, we're back in Bulgaria and …" Hermione had toned him out again. Just behind his head was Ron, chuckling to himself in a sinister manner. Hermione wanted to smirk at him more than anything, but she was pretending to smile politely at Viktor's story.

"Isn't that fantastic?" Ana said, grabbing hold of Hermione's attention once again.

"Just wonderful!" Hermione exclaimed, having no idea what exactly she was referring to. Ana held out her hand, which held a dazzling diamond ring. "That's spectacular!" she said amazed. Hermione wasn't one to be distracted by the glitz of an item, unlike some girls (Lavender) however, this ring was extravagant.

"Thank you," said Ana. "I'm just so … so happy."

An tense bit of silence filled the air, before Hermione broke it with a smile.

"Well," Viktor said, "would it be alright if you were to take us around Hogsmeade and show us what's here?"

"Absolutely," Hermione said.

She spent the rest of the day playing tour guide with them. It was sheer torture. She thought she was going to be able to have a decent conversation with Viktor, but he had his fiancé with him. It was odd thinking that Viktor had a fiancé even. He had told Hermione that he was crazy about her and that he even wanted to spend a whole summer with her, but then again, she was only in her fourth year at the time. Nothing ever happened, not even a kiss, though he had tried many times, but Hermione never allowed it. But honestly, it wasn't like he was going to sit around and wait for her forever, and it wasn't that she wanted him to. She just wanted talk to an old friend.

After saying goodbye to Viktor, Hermione left to return to her dorm. Her eyes, filled with disappointment, fell mindlessly to the emerald grass. Her beautiful day was ruined. She felt her feet sink deeper into the ground with every step. Why was this year turning out to be the worst? She ran her fingers through her curled hair. She wasn't used to it feeling like that. Her attempt at looking somewhat decent for Viktor was an utter waste of time and energy.

"Hey," she heard coming from behind her. She jumped, for she'd sort of gone into a trans where she and her thoughts could be secluded from everyone else. "Hermione." She turned around. And surly enough, there he stood; well past six feet tall and topped off with red hair.

Hermione scoffed, "As if my day couldn't get any worse," she mumbled, though Ron didn't seem to have heard. "I almost couldn't recognize you without Lavender fastened to your side."

A chuckle escaped his throat, "Well, she went back a while ago. I thought I'd stick around."

Hermione merely nodded. Her patience with Ron had grown thinner over the week more than it had throughout all their years at Hogwarts.

"So, how was your little date with Krum?"

Her feet dug deep into the ground as she stopped dead in her tracks. "It wasn't a date, Ronald," she snapped viciously. "And, if you must know, he's engaged."

"Oh," Ron said dully. "Oh, yeah, I was wondering who that girl was, she was pretty hot–I mean … she was alright."

Hermione rolled her chocolaty eyes.

"Oh well, I'm sure he's secretly still in love with you."

The fine hairs on Hermione's neck stood up. Chills dashed through her spine. Oh gosh, Hermione thought. He thinks I was trying to make him jealous. No! No, this cannot be happening! I would never try and make him jealous … right? Wait … no … was I trying to make him jealous? No, stop, Hermione! Why on Earth would you try and make him jealous? He's … he's Ron for Merlin's sake. "You're a git, Ronald Weasley," she spat.

"How so? Don't tell me I'm wrong. I mean how could he not be? You went all out when you were getting ready. I mean you looked really pretty and all, but–"

"What was that? Did I hear you say 'pretty' or am I delusional?"

"Maybe just a bit of both," Ron said, "but why would you even bother? It's not like you, Hermione, to try and impress someone with hair and makeup. It's not like you needed to."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I mean for Krum's sake that is."

Hermione nodded slowly, trying to understand exactly what Ron was saying.

"What I mean is that he liked you in fourth year without you even making an effort of giving a damn what you looked like."

"So what's the point of this attempted pep talk, Ron?"

"Well, I just saw you with him and What's Her Face and I felt terrible for you. I mean don't get me wrong, the look on your face when she walked in was priceless, but after the fact, I felt a little bad for you. Look, what I'm trying to say is don't let Viktor Krum undermine your confidence and make you think you need to be more than you are. You don't. I swear on my life."

"Would you swear on Lavender's, too?"

"Oh defiantly," Ron said.

Hermione laughed and walked back to the castle along side Ron. She'd forgotten how great of a guy he could be when he was riding solo. So wait … she asked herself, were you trying to make him jealous? Did he figure it out? Oh he totally figured it out! But wait … maybe it worked …