Dumbledore had finished his speech. They were having breakfast. Ron turned to hermione
"You know he's right. We should not bother Harry with what happened. But, do you reckon he would tell?" said Ron.
Oh I was thinking the same. But I don't know if he would tell. Do you think we should ask? " said hermione.
" I don't think so hermione. If he wants to tell he could but we shouldn't get it out from him. He saw Cedric dying hermione and he was crying. I saw it. My mum hugged him and he went to sleep. Maybe it is difficult for him to talk about it." said Ron.
Hermione with tears in her eyes." Oh why does it always happen to have it with Harry! "
" Yea. It does! But you know what, I think we should leave him alone about it. Let him get over it and let him make it easy for him."
"Yea and the whole school would be after him. I think it's best if we help him by not talking about it."
"Yes cause we are friends. Best friends! Like a family and we are suppose to be there for him even by not talking about the whole thing."
Hermione smiled at him. She loves Ron's loyalty to friendship. He would go out of the way to be for both of them. She was getting really clear in the idea of what her heart really wants.
Harry returned to Gryffindor Tower the following evening. From what Hermione and Ron told him, Dumbledore had spoken to the school that morning at breakfast.
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"Could I have a vord?" he asked her.
"Oh . . . yes . . . all right," said Hermione, looking slightly flustered, and following Krum through the crowd and out of sight.
Hermione knew what this was about. She had been ignoring Krum for a long time. But she had been busy with Harry. With preparing the task and being there for him after it. She had debated over him in her mind long back. It all comes backs to this, he can be an amazing friend but she is attracted to someone else. And maybe she was attracted long time back and now she wants to take a risk with the attracted person.
"You said you vill tell me. I am waiting for the answer."
"Oh Viktor! I think, I think you know the answer." said Hermione looking down in embarrassment.
Viktor paused and said "there is someone else. Right?"
"Yes. Im sorry Viktor. I-I shouldn't have lead you on."
He was upset. "I alvays had a feeling. That is vhy I asked Harry about it in the woods."
"Wha-t!? No, no. Its-its not Harry." blushing now.
"It's not? Who is it?" and then in an instant he knew, a head was bobbing up and down to look at hermione.
"Is it that friend? Who is looking for you? Ahhhhh the one who wanted me to stay away from you!"
"Y-yes." she couldn't stop blushing.
"Really?" said Krum raising his eyebrow.
Hermione smiled. "Not really. We are not there yet. Maybe someday. I hope."said Hermione blushing more.
" But you are amazing Viktor. You truly are. I want to stay friends with you. Will you write to me? Promise me."
" Ofcourse hermyowny." said Viktor with a sad smile. She gave him a hug and a kiss on his cheek. She turned and saw Ron looking for her
They returned quite soon. Ron stared at Hermione, but her face was quite impassive.
"I liked Diggory," said Krum abruptly to Harry. "He vos alvays polite to me. Alvays. Even though I vos from Durmstrang — with Karkaroff," he added, scowling.
"Have you got a new headmaster yet?" said Harry.
Krum shrugged. He held out his hand as Fleur had done, shook Harry's hand, and then Ron's. Ron looked as though he was suffering some sort of painful internal struggle. Krum had already started walking away when Ron burst out, "Can I have your autograph?"
Hermione turned away, smiling at the horseless carriages. Oh Ron! MY stupid, jealous, warm, lovable Ron, who can hate his hero for me and still ask his autograph. She knew at that moment that the coming years in Hogwarts along with Ron would be different now.
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"See you, Harry," said Ron, clapping him on the back.
" 'Bye, Harry!" said Hermione, and she did something she had never done before, and kissed him on the cheek. Harry smiled at him, said goodbye to Fred and went off with uncle Vernon.
Ron was still ogling hermione at what the hell did she do with Harry. Does she like Harry or has she started liking her.
"What?" said hermione looking at him.
"Urmmm nothing." said Ron.
"Oh come on Ron! I was just cheering him up. You know, for good luck. He's going to be locked up for the whole summer there. And whatever he's been through..."
Ron settled abit and said "Yea, Blimey Hermione! I didn't know he went through so much. It was good of us to not ask him."
"I'm glad he trusted us and told us everything. I knew something would happen, but witnessing rebirth of You know Who and watching Cedric, it was-was terrible to listen" said hermione chokingly. She knew tears were about to come. But before that Ron put an arm around her and said "Oh come on! Cheer up. We will take him away for summer. Are-are you going to join us?" said Ron curiously and had removed his arms around her shoulder.
"Oh I don't know. Let's see. I have to ask my parents about it. You know, haven't seen them for a year now." and then she spotted her parents.
"You haven't planned anything yet?"
"Yes maybe. I will let you know" she said with a smile and both of them started to walk towards her parents. He greeted them and so did the Weasleys. They exchanged warm pleasantries.
"We will be in touch with you soon. There has been alot that had happened. We will explain you soon. We will have to take security measures ." said Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh i really don't understand it. Why dont you come over to our place now." said Mrs. Granger.
"Not today my dear but we shall be coming soon. Just drop in your address and we will come and explain everything. And do take care of yourself. Things are changing now. And hermione" smiling at her "Take care of them. We shall be seeing you soon." said Mrs. Weasley.
Mr. Granger and Mrs granger had started bickering quietly. Hermione knew its time to leave. She turned around and saw Ron watching her. She gave him a big smile which returned and went away with her parents after saying goodbye to all the Weasleys.
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