Hello my beautiful readers! I have been putting off this chapter, I'm sorry. I just thought that not all of you had read the last chapter because the usuals didn't review. Anyways, here's the next chapter.

She stiffened under his touch. She peered at him with her blurry, tear-soaked eyes. Ron seemed to appear concerned, but a smirk played at the corners of his mouth. It was the expression of an actor.

"Are you trying to hit on me?" She said in disbelief. "We're fighting, not broken up!" She turned and smacked his arm. He didn't even bother to defend himself; he'd been caught red handed.

Ginny and Harry both threw Ron a dirty look, before Ginny stood up, and hauled her to her feet. "Come on. We are going to go to the dorm, and eat chocolate, and you are going to start feeling better."

She grumbled, but allowed herself to be led away, where she and Ginny stuffed their faces with Honeyduke's chocolate, and complained about guys.

"I can't believe he hasn't noticed yet." Ginny said through a mouthful of chocolate. "I mean, come on! I haven't been exactly subtle."

"I just can't believe how Ron hasn't noticed I'm over him! He had over three years, Ginny! Three years! And now, when he can't have me, is the only time he wants me. It's just not fair. I waited and hoped for him to like me back, but he never did. Not until I liked someone else."

"That's my git of a brother for you. He never realizes a good thing until it's gone."

She nodded in agreement. "I'm sure Harry will come around, eventually. He's pretty blind as to what's a good thing, too. He'll realize that Cho isn't a good option, and maybe then he'll open his eyes and see who was waiting for him all along. That is, if you're still waiting for him."

"Maybe it's a guy thing." She sighed. "Honestly, I've wondered whether or not I should. I mean, he hasn't noticed, and he isn't the only guy out there. I did really try with Neville, but it just felt awkward."

She patted Ginny's back sympathetically. "He'll start noticing, and once he does, he won't be able to keep his eyes off of you."

Ginny smiled. "Thanks. I'm sure Krum'll come around too. He's not stupid. Just give him time."

"Why do you always call Viktor by Krum?" She asked.

"For me, calling Krum, Viktor would be like trying to call Malfoy, Draco. I just don't associate the name with the face, since I've heard it a certain way for quite some time. "

"Ahh, I see."

*.*.*.*

It had been almost two weeks since her heart to heart with Ginny, and she couldn't help but feel confused. She had no idea as to where their relationship stood, or if it even was still a relationship. She was pretty sure he hadn't broken up with her; he hadn't spoken to her since the fight. He did, however, follow at a distance whenever she went to a different class. Maybe it was his idea of still escorting her everywhere.

Ron had been growing bolder and bolder by each day that Viktor didn't say anything. It had started off as the corny, yawn and drape your arm, trick, just at random moments when they sat next to each other. Every time, she shrugged out form under it and either moved or scolded him, often both.

It was Friday, and she once again had Care of Magical Creatures and double Potions with Slytherins. She finished her breakfast of toast in a hurry, before heading down to Hagrid's, hoping that they wouldn't have to take care of the skewerts. Last time, they had to attempt to walk the god forsaken creatures, an event that had resulted in several people getting burns, bites, and scratches. They were vicious little devils, or not so little devils. When they had first hatched, they were barely three inches long. Now, they were well over three feet long.

She, as well as the rest of her class, was very relived to find that today, Dumbledore had lent them Fawkes as an example to study a phoenix. The assignment was simple; you had to write down the ten questions that Hagrid gave, and then look them up and write a few paragraphs on each.

What are the property's of a phoenix's tears? She would forever remember how Fawkes had cried for Harry, and the healing tears had nearly brought him back from the dead. She quickly wrote out the answer. What phoenix product is typically used in wand making? That one was even easier. It was the phoenix tail feather. She continued until she had finally finished all of the questions. She hadn't even needed to look in her book.

She glanced around, and without any surprise, realized she was the first one done. With plenty of time to spare, she simply watched the friendly phoenix flutter from branch to branch in a nearby tree.

He really was a finely feathered bird. Vibrant red hues stood out amongst the golden under-feathers. Finally, the class was over.

She unwillingly hurried back to the castle for potions in the dungeons. Normally, she would have taken a bit more time, but recently, Ron had been taking advantage of long, unmonitored walks to try and hit on her. She would still vehemently scold him, and Harry used to as well, but he had already given up his efforts. It seemed like sense couldn't be screamed into Ron's head. Well, if Gryffindors were one thing, they were foolishly brave.

With a little bit of luck, she made it to the dungeon, and quickly sat down in the only half-taken seat.

"Are you trying to avoid Weasel, Granger?" An arrogant voice said next to her.

Ugh, just her luck. The only half-taken seat in the classroom was next to Malfoy. Harry and Ron were the last ones to arrive, and took the last seats at the edge of the class rooms.

She simply glared at him, not wanting to risk ticking Snape off for talking. "Someone's a little cranky. Who put a knot in your knickers? Is it because tomorrow's Valentine's Day and you and your boyfriend still haven't made up?

It hadn't even crossed her mind that tomorrow was Valentines day. How embarrassing. Well, the way things were looking, it wouldn't be a very eventful day for her anyways.

Concentrating on the task on hand, she firmly whispered back, "Aw, Malfoy, I didn't know you cared enough to know the details of my life. When did you grow a heart?"

Malfoy's face twisted into an angry scowl, and just as he was about to retort back, Snape walked in, cutting him off.

"Today we will be brewing an antidote to most love potions. Instructions are on the board."

A quiet murmur passed through the class before it fell silent. She set to work, ignoring Ron's blatant stare at her from the back of the class, and Malfoy's sniggers after he realized what was going on.

Powdered slugs, dried worms, frog skin, rats' tails, and anything else disgusting and repulsive was in the potion. She wouldn't want to be one who had to taste this stuff; it was absolutely vile. Even the color of the liquid was a sickly green.

A puff of hot breath blew in her ear when Malfoy whispered, "I'd watch my back, if I were you, Granger. Judging from the look of Weasel's goo goo eyes, he's already assaulted you in his mind. You might want to keep a vile of this on hand."

She turned to face him, but he had already gone back to his potion. Taking out a scrap of parchment, she scribbled "Thanks for the advice... but I think I can handle myself."

Carefully, she slipped the note into his hand. He read it, but simply smirked back at her in response, then mouthed the words, 'Oh no you won't. You're too trusting. The golden trio can do no wrong.'

She smoldered in silent fury at him before finally finishing up her potion. She filled a vial, and placed it on the professor's desk, continuing to ignore Ron. The rest of the class dragged on, feeling like an eternity to her. She was trapped. She could either look at Malfoy, the floor, or turn to stare at Ron. She chose the floor.

Not nearly quick enough, the end of class finally came, and she headed down to lunch. Ron, like a lost puppy, followed at her heels and Harry tagged along behind them. She wasn't quick enough this time, and Ron managed to snag a seat next to her.

His arm crept over, trying to wrap around her waist, but she swatted it away. "One of these times, Ronald, I'm going to hex you. Knock it off!" She complained.

Ron flashed a dopey smile. "No you won't."

She pulled her wand out of her robes. "You wanna find out?"

Ron gulped, and retuned his arm to his side. "Why does it bother you so much?"

"Because! I'm dating someone else!"

Ron rolled his eyes. "Not really. You haven't talked to him in two weeks."

"I'm still wearing my ring and necklace." He finally shut up after that.

After lunch, she and a group of girls; Ginny, Lavender, and Katie, headed out for a walk. They meandered around the grounds for about an hour, and she was grateful for the reprieve. There was so little time now that she could escape the boys with, especially Ron. If someone didn't know any better, they would have said that she had a leash that tugged Ron along.

If Viktor didn't apologize by tomorrow, she'd break down and beg for forgiveness herself, just to get rid of Ron. Maybe that's what he wants me to do. She realized. If he doesn't by noon tomorrow, I'll do that myself.

She contented herself, knowing that either way, she would be free of Ron by noon tomorrow. Being unable to put it off any longer, the group returned to Gryffindor tower, where she finished her essay for potions on love potions, returned downstairs for dinner, and went to bed.

*.*.*.

She entered the Great hall that morning, unsure of what to expect. Before she could even see what was going on, a floral scent assaulted her sense of smell. It seemed to fill every bit of the enormous room and it was her favorite: Japanese Cherry Blossoms and Ice Orchids.

Now, to continue what I said earlier. I literally put this off because I didn't want anyone to miss out on to much. Then, it hit me. You guys are still upset about taking so long, and then I only added fuel to the fire when I let Ron put his arm around Hermione in the last chapter. Some of you might think, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all", but I disagree. In a Viktor/Hermione fic, if it upsets you that Ron put his arm around Hermione, it means I'm writing my story right. I want to hear from you, even if you're absolutely furious. it helps me gage how many people have read the chapter, and gives me something to go off of. I thought that you guys had lost your review buttons or forgot how to review. I am a proud review-hog, and let me know what you think in the reviews!